2012 Proxy


SCHEDULE 14A

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
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ALEXION PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

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352 Knotter Drive
Cheshire, Connecticut 06410
(203) 272-2596
April 13, 2012

Dear Fellow Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend Alexion's Annual Meeting of Stockholders on Monday, May 7, 2012, at the Westin Providence Hotel, One West Exchange Place, Providence, Rhode Island 02903, at 5:00 p.m. E.D.T.

The enclosed proxy statement describes the matters to be acted upon at the annual meeting. I encourage you to read the proxy statement carefully. We look forward to greeting our stockholders who are present at the meeting; however, whether or not you plan to be with us, your vote is important. Accordingly, I urge you to vote your shares by mail, by phone, or on the Internet. Thank you.
Very truly yours,
Leonard Bell, M.D.
Chief Executive Officer
and Treasurer










Cheshire, Connecticut
___________
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held On May 7, 2012
___________
April 13, 2012
Alexion's Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held on Monday, May 7, 2012, at the Westin Providence Hotel, One West Exchange Place, Providence, Rhode Island 02903, at 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. This year, we are asking stockholders:

(1)
To elect nine directors to Alexion's Board of Directors, constituting the entire Board, to serve for the ensuing year.

(2)
To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Alexion's independent registered public accounting firm.

(3)
To consider a non-binding advisory vote on compensation paid to Alexion's named executive officers.

(4)
To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

Stockholders of record at the close of business on March 16, 2012 will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the 2012 Annual Meeting or any adjournment of the meeting.

All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the 2012 Annual Meeting in person. However, whether or not you plan to attend the 2012 Annual Meeting, please vote by mail, by phone or on the Internet at your earliest convenience so that your shares may be represented at the meeting and to ensure a quorum.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for
the 2012 Annual Meeting to be held on May 7, 2012.
This Proxy Statement and our 2011 Annual Report are available at
http://ir.alexionpharm.com/annuals.cfm
Michael V. Greco
Associate General Counsel and Corporate Secretary






PROXY STATEMENT
___________

GENERAL INFORMATION

Proxy Solicitation

This Proxy Statement and form of proxy are furnished to the holders of Alexion's common stock, par value $.0001 per share, in connection with the solicitation by our Board of Directors of proxies for use at the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Monday, May 7, 2012, at the Westin Providence Hotel, One West Exchange Place, Providence, Rhode Island 02903, or at any adjournment thereof. The purposes of the meeting and the matters to be acted upon are described in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Board of Directors is not currently aware of any other matters that will come before the meeting.

The mailing address of our principal executive offices is Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 352 Knotter Drive, Cheshire, Connecticut, 06410. Proxies will be mailed to stockholders on or about April 16, 2012. We will make arrangements with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to send proxies and proxy materials to the beneficial owners of shares and will reimburse them for their expenses in so doing. Proxies may be solicited, without extra compensation, by officers, agents and employees of Alexion who may communicate with stockholders, banks, brokerage houses and others by telephone, facsimile, email or in person to request that proxies be furnished. All expenses incurred in connection with this solicitation will be paid for by Alexion. We have no present plans to hire special employees or paid solicitors to assist in obtaining proxies, but may decide to do so prior to the 2012 Annual Meeting. If any special employees or solicitors are retained, we will bear the expense.

How to Vote

If you own shares in your own name, you can vote any one of four ways:
 
(1)    By Internet: Go to the website www.proxyvote.com to vote via the Internet. You must follow the instructions on your proxy card and the website.
 
(2)    By Telephone: Call the toll-free number 800-690-6903 to vote by telephone. You must follow the instructions on your proxy card and the recorded telephone instructions.
 
(3)    By Mail: A form of proxy for use at the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and a return envelope for the proxy are enclosed. Mark, sign and date the proxy card and return it promptly in the self-addressed, stamped envelope. If a proxy card is signed and returned without instructions, your shares will be voted in the manner recommended by our Board of Directors.
 
(4)    In Person: You can attend the 2012 Annual Meeting to vote by ballot. Only record or beneficial owners of Alexion common stock or their proxies may attend the 2012 Annual Meeting in person. When you arrive at the meeting, you must present photo identification, such as a driver's license. Beneficial owners also must provide evidence of stock ownership as of the record date, such as a brokerage account or custodial bank statement.
 
If you vote via the Internet or by telephone, your electronic vote authorizes the named proxies in the same manner as if you signed, dated and returned your proxy card. If you vote via the Internet or by telephone, you should not mail a proxy card.

If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record, you will receive instructions from the holder of record that you must follow in order for your shares to be voted. Internet and telephone voting also will be offered to stockholders owning shares through most banks and brokers.



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Revocability

You may revoke the authority granted by your execution of a proxy at any time before the proxy is voted at the 2012 Annual Meeting by:

filing with the Corporate Secretary of Alexion a written notice of revocation;
mailing a duly executed proxy bearing a later date;
voting by phone or the Internet prior to the cut-off date described on the enclosed proxy; or
voting in person at the 2012 Annual Meeting.

Record Date

The record date for voting is March 16, 2012. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 16, 2012 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the 2012 Annual Meeting and any adjournment of the meeting. On March 16, 2012, there were 186,793,758 shares of our common stock outstanding. Each share is entitled to one vote on each of the matters to be presented at the 2012 Annual Meeting.

Quorum and Required Vote

The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, will constitute a quorum at the 2012 Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum.
"Broker non-votes" are shares held by brokers, banks or other holders of record that are present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting, but not voted on a particular matter because (1) instructions were not received from the beneficial owner and (2) the broker, bank or other holder of record does not have discretionary voting authority to vote on the matter. A broker may not vote on "non-routine" matters without receiving specific voting instructions from the beneficial owner.
Election of Directors: Proposal No. 1. Our Amended and Restated Bylaws provide for a majority voting standard in the election of directors in uncontested elections, such as this election. In the election of directors, you may either vote "for," "against" or "abstain." Under our majority voting standard, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the shares present or represented and entitled to vote at the 2012 Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, is required for the election of each nominee. A "majority of the votes cast" means that the number of votes cast "for" a director nominee exceeds the number of votes cast "against" the nominee. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not count as a vote "for" or "against" a nominee's election and will have no effect in determining whether a director nominee has received a majority of the votes cast.
Ratification of Alexion's Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm: Proposal No. 2. For the proposal to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Alexion's independent registered public accounting firm, you may either vote "for", "against" or "abstain." The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock present or represented and entitled to vote at the 2012 Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, is required to approve Proposal No. 2. Abstentions will have the same effect as votes against Proposal No. 2. The approval of Proposal No. 2 is considered to be routine and a broker or other nominee is generally empowered to vote on such routine proposals. Consequently, it is unlikely that any broker non-votes will result.
Advisory Vote on the Compensation of Alexion's Named Executive Officers: Proposal No. 3. For the advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation, you may either vote "for", "against" or "abstain." Because this proposal asks for a non-binding, advisory vote, there is no "required vote" that would constitute approval. We value the opinions expressed by our stockholders in this advisory vote, and our Compensation Committee, which is responsible for overseeing and administering our executive compensation programs, will consider the outcome of the vote when designing our compensation programs and making future compensation decisions for our named executive officers. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will not have any effect on the results of those deliberations.

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Broker Discretionary Voting
If shares are held by a broker, the broker will ask the beneficial owner for instructions to vote the shares. If instructions are provided, the broker must vote the shares as directed. If instructions are not provided, the broker's ability to vote the shares depends on the proposal. At the 2012 Annual Meeting and any and all adjournments of the meeting, brokers may submit a vote on the ratification of the appointment of the independent registered accounting firm even if it does not receive instructions from the broker. For all other proposals, the broker may not vote unless the broker receives specific instructions from the beneficial owner. We urge each stockholder to provide instructions to its broker so that its votes may be counted on these important matters.


BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK

The following table sets forth certain information as of March 16, 2012 (except as otherwise noted) regarding the beneficial ownership (as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC) of our common stock of: (i) each person known by us to own beneficially more than five percent of our outstanding common stock; (ii) each named executive officer listed in the Summary Compensation Table below; (iii) each director; and (iv) all directors and executive officers of Alexion as a group.

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1)
 
Number of Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned (2)
 
Percentage of Outstanding Shares of Common Stock
 
 
 
 
 
FMR LLC (3)
 
 
 
 
82 Devonshire Street
 
 
 
 
Boston, MA 02109
 
21,273,525

 
11.49
%
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (4)
 
 
 
 
100 E. Pratt Street
 
 
 
 
Baltimore, MD 21202
 
14,488,395

 
7.80
%
Capital Research Global Investors (5)
 
 
 
 
333 South Hope Street
 
 
 
 
Los Angeles, CA 90071
 
13,328,122

 
7.20
%
BlackRock, Inc. (6)
 
 
 
 
40 East 52nd Street
 
 
 
 
New York, NY 10022
 
9,910,362

 
5.35
%
Leonard Bell, M.D. (7)(20)
 
3,894,716

 
2.09
%
Stephen P. Squinto, Ph.D. (8)(20)
 
338,286

 
*

Vikas Sinha, M.B.A., C.A. (9)(20)
 
584,259

 
*

Patrice Coissac (10)(20)
 
258,496

 
*

David Hallal (11)(20)
 
409,174

 
*

Max Link, Ph.D. (12)
 
295,561

 
*

William R. Keller (13)
 
19,281

 
*

Joseph A. Madri, M.D., Ph.D. (14)
 
260,523

 
*

Larry L. Mathis (15)
 
136,895

 
*

R. Douglas Norby (16)
 
167,753

 
*

Alvin S. Parven (17)
 
118,895

 
*

Andreas Rummelt, Ph.D. (18)
 
31,708

 
*

Ann M. Veneman, J.D. (19)
 
20,038

 
*

All directors and executive officers as a group (15 persons) (21)

 
7,021,861

 
3.76
%
* Less than one percent.

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(1)     Unless otherwise indicated, the address of all persons is 352 Knotter Drive, Cheshire, Connecticut 06410.
(2)    To our knowledge, except as set forth below, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws where applicable and the information contained in the footnotes in this table.
(3)    These figures are based upon information set forth in Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2012. FMR LLC has sole voting power with respect to 53,611 of the shares listed.
(4)    These figures are based upon information set forth in Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 13, 2012. These securities are owned by various individual and institutional investors which T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., or Price Associates, serves as investment adviser with power to direct investments and/or sole power to vote the securities. For the purposes of the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Price Associates is deemed to be a beneficial owner of such securities; however, Price Associates expressly disclaims that it is, in fact, the beneficial owner of such securities.
(5)    These figures are based upon information set forth in Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2012. These securities are owned by various investment companies registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 which Capital Research Global Investors, or CRGI, serves as investment advisor with power to direct investments and/or sole power to vote the securities. For the purposes of the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, CRGI is deemed to be a beneficial owner of such securities; however, CRGI expressly disclaims that it is, in fact, the beneficial owner of such securities.
(6)    These figures are based upon information set forth in Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 9, 2012. BlackRock, Inc. has sole voting power with respect to 9,910,362 of the shares listed.
(7)    Includes 2,036,837 shares of common stock that may be acquired upon the exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 16, 2012, and 806,964 shares held in various trusts of which Dr. Bell or his spouse is a trustee.
(8)    Includes 246,904 shares of common stock which may be acquired by Dr. Squinto upon the exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 16, 2012, and 3,892 shares, in aggregate, held in the name of one of Dr. Squinto's children. Excludes 7,784 shares held in trust for two of Dr. Squinto's children. Dr. Squinto disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held in trust for his three children.
(9)    Includes 397,358 shares of common stock which may be acquired by Mr. Sinha upon the exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 16, 2012 and 32,942 shares held in a trust of which Mr. Sinha is a trustee.
(10)    Includes 128,732 shares of common stock which may be acquired by Mr. Coissac upon the exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 16, 2012.
(11)    Includes 334,464 shares of common stock which may be acquired by Mr. Hallal upon the exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 16, 2012.
(12)    Includes 105,780 shares of common stock which may be acquired by Dr. Link upon the exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 16, 2012.
(13)    Includes 2,786 shares of common stock which may be acquired by Mr. Keller upon the exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 16, 2012.
(14)    Includes 205,780 shares of common stock which may be acquired by Dr. Madri upon the exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 16, 2012.
(15)    Includes 133,780 shares of common stock which may be acquired by Mr. Mathis upon the exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 16, 2012.
(16)     Includes 129,080 shares of common stock which may be acquired by Mr. Norby upon the exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 16, 2012.
(17)    Includes 115,780 shares of common stock which may be acquired by Mr. Parven upon the exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 16, 2012.
(18)    Includes 1,393 shares of common stock which may be acquired by Dr. Rummelt upon the exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 16, 2012.
(19)    Includes 8,897 shares of common stock which may be acquired by Ms. Veneman upon the exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 16, 2012.
(20)    Named executive officer under Item 402 of Regulation S-K.
(21)    Includes 4,264,319 shares of common stock which may be acquired by all directors and officers as a group upon the exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 16, 2012.


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PROPOSAL NO. 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Nine directors have been nominated for re-election at the 2012 Annual Meeting to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. In the event any of the nominees are unable to serve as a director, the shares represented by the proxy will be voted for such other candidate, if any, who is nominated by the Board of Directors to replace the nominee. All nominees have consented to be named in the Proxy Statement and have indicated their intent to serve if elected. The Board of Directors has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unable to serve.

In November 2011, our Board of Directors adopted a majority voting standard in uncontested director elections. The voting standard for contested director elections continues to be a plurality standard. The majority voting standard provides that a nominee for director in an uncontested election will be elected to Alexion's Board if the votes cast for such nominee's election exceed the votes cast against such nominee's election. In an uncontested election, an incumbent director nominee who does not receive the requisite votes for reelection is required to tender his or her resignation and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will recommend to the Board whether to accept or reject the resignation. Within 90 days following certification of the election results, the Board will act on the committee's recommendation and publicly disclose the Board's decision regarding the tendered resignation, including the rationale for the decision.

The number of candidates for election as directors at the 2012 Annual Meeting is the same as the number of directors to be elected at the meeting. Therefore, this is an uncontested election and directors will be elected by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the shares present or represented and entitled to vote at the 2012 Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS DEEMS "PROPOSAL NO. 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS" TO BE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF ALEXION AND ITS STOCKHOLDERS AND RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" EACH NOMINEE.



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GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Below please find information about the nominees for directors:

Name
 
Age
 
Year First Became Director
 
Position
Leonard Bell, M.D.(5)
 
54
 
1992
 
Chief Executive Officer, Treasurer, Director
Max Link, Ph.D.(1) (4)
 
71
 
1992
 
Chairman of the Board of Directors
William R. Keller (2) (3)
 
64
 
2009
 
Director
Joseph A. Madri, M.D., Ph.D. (2) (4)
 
65
 
1992
 
Director
Larry L. Mathis (1) (3)
 
68
 
2004
 
Director
R. Douglas Norby (1) (3)
 
76
 
1999
 
Director
Alvin S. Parven (2) (3)
 
71
 
1999
 
Director
Andreas Rummelt, Ph.D. (1) (4)
 
55
 
2010
 
Director
Ann M. Veneman, J.D. (2) (3)
 
62
 
2010
 
Director
(1)
Member of our Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
(2)
Member of our Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.
(3)
Member of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors.
(4)
Member of our Pharmaceutical Compliance and Quality Committee of the Board of Directors.
(5)
Executive Officer, for purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Each director nominee, if re-elected, will hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. Each officer of the company serves at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Dr. Bell is a party to an employment agreement with us.

Leonard Bell, M.D. is the principal founder of Alexion, and has been a director of Alexion since February 1992. He has been the Chief Executive Officer of Alexion since January 1992. He has also served as Alexion's President, Treasurer and Secretary and is currently Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer. From 1991 to 1992, Dr. Bell was an Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pathology and co-Director of the program in Vascular Biology at the Yale University School of Medicine. From 1990 to 1992, Dr. Bell was an attending physician at the Yale-New Haven Hospital and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at the Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Bell was a recipient of the Physician Scientist Award from the National Institutes of Health and Grant-in-Aid from the American Heart Association as well as various honors and awards from academic and professional organizations. His work has resulted in more than 20 scientific publications and 9 patent applications. Dr. Bell was also a director of The Medicines Company from May 2000 until April 2005. Dr. Bell received his A.B. from Brown University and M.D. from Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Bell is currently an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pathology at the Yale University School of Medicine.
Max Link, Ph.D. has been the Chairman of our Board of Directors since December 2002 and a director of Alexion since April 1992. From March 2001 to September 2003, Dr. Link was Chairman of the Board and CEO of Centerpulse AG, a medical implant company. From May 1993 to June 1994, Dr. Link was Chief Executive Officer of Corange (Bermuda), the parent company of Boehringer Mannheim Therapeutics, Boehringer Mannheim Diagnostics and DePuy Orthopedics. From 1992 to 1993, Dr. Link was Chairman of the Board of Sandoz Pharma, Ltd., a manufacturer of pharmaceutical products. From 1987 to 1992, Dr. Link was the Chief Executive Officer of

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Sandoz Pharma and a member of the Executive Board of Sandoz, Ltd., Basel. Prior to 1987, Dr. Link served in various capacities with the United States operations of Sandoz, including as President and Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Link is the chairman of the board of directors of Amedica Corporation, CytRx Corporation, and Celsion Corporation, and is also a director of Discovery Labs, Inc., each of which, with the exception of Amedica, is a publicly held pharmaceutical and/or life-science company. Dr. Link was also a director of Human Genome Sciences, Inc. from 1995 to 2008, PDL BioPharma Inc. from 1993 to 2007, and Cell Therapeutics, Inc. from 1995 to 2005. Dr. Link holds a Ph.D. in economics from University of St. Gallen (Switzerland).
William R. Keller has been a director of Alexion since December 2009. Mr. Keller is the founder of, and since September 2009 a principal of, Keller Pharma Consultancy, a pharmaceutical consulting firm in China. He is also a senior consultant to the Shanghai Foreign Investment Development Board and the deputy general manager of Zhangjiang Biotech & Pharmaceutical Base Development Co., Ltd. From 2007 to September 2009, Mr. Keller was the chairman of HBM Biomed China Partners, a specialized venture capital organization dedicated exclusively to life sciences in China. From 1994 to 2003, Mr. Keller was the general manager of Roche China Ltd. and Shanghai Roche Pharmaceutical Ltd. From 1974 to 2003, Mr. Keller served in various positions at Roche Group in South America and Asia. Mr. Keller is the honorary president of the R&D-based Pharmaceutical Association in China, the vice chairman of the Shanghai Association of Foreign Investment Enterprises and holds directorships in Cathay Industrial Biotech Ltd., Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Development Co. Ltd., TaiGen Biotechnology Co., Ltd., each of which are privately held, and Coland Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., which is a pharmaceutical company listed on the Taiwan stock exchange. Mr. Keller graduated from the School of Economics and Business Administration (Zurich) and is Honorary Citizen of Shanghai.
Joseph A. Madri, M.D., Ph.D. has been a director of Alexion since February 1992. Since 1980, Dr. Madri has been on the faculty of the Yale University School of Medicine and is currently a Professor of Pathology and Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology. Dr. Madri serves on the editorial boards of numerous scientific journals and he is the author of over 243 scientific publications. Dr. Madri works in the areas of regulation of angiogenesis, vascular cell-matrix interactions, cell-cell interactions, lymphocyte-endothelial cell interactions and endothelial and smooth muscle cell biology and neural stem biology, and has been awarded a Merit award from the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Madri received his B.S. and M.S. in Biology from St. John's University and M.D. and Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from Indiana University.
Larry L. Mathis has been a director of Alexion since March 2004. From 1971 until 1998, he served as an executive at The Methodist Hospital System in Houston, Texas - an organization comprising 16 corporations and 37 hospital affiliates in the U.S. and abroad. During the last fourteen years of his tenure, Mr. Mathis served as President and CEO and as a member of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors. Following his executive service, he was an organization, management and leadership consultant with D. Peterson & Associates in Houston. Mr. Mathis is a also director of Healthcare Trust of America, Inc., a real estate investment trust. Mr. Mathis received a Master's degree in Health Administration from Washington University in St. Louis, and a B.A. in Social Sciences from Pittsburg State University in Kansas.
R. Douglas Norby has been a director of Alexion since September 1999. From July 2003 and until January 31, 2006, Mr. Norby has been Sr. Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of Tessera Technologies, Inc., a provider of intellectual property for advanced semiconductor packaging. From March 2002 to February 2003, Mr. Norby served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Zambeel, Inc., a data storage systems company. From December 2000 to March 2002, Mr. Norby served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Novalux, Inc., a manufacturer of lasers for optical networks. From 1996 until December 2000, Mr. Norby served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of LSI Logic Corporation, a semiconductor company, and he has also served as a director of LSI Logic Corporation since 1993. From July 1993 until November 1996, he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Mentor Graphics Corporation, a software company. Mr. Norby served as President of Pharmetrix Corporation, a drug delivery company, from July 1992 to September 1993, and from 1985 to 1992, he was President and Chief Operating Officer of Lucasfilm, Ltd., an entertainment company. From 1979 to 1985, Mr. Norby was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Syntex Corporation, a pharmaceutical company. Mr. Norby is a director of STATS Chip PAC, Ltd., a semiconductor company listed on the Singapore stock exchange, Ikanos Communications, Inc., a semiconductor and software company listed on Nasdaq, InvenSense, Inc. a semiconductor company listed on the NYSE, MagnaChip

7



Semiconductor LLC, a semiconductor company listed on the NYSE, and NEXX Systems, Inc., a private semiconductor manufacturing equipment company. From 2007 to 2009, Mr. Norby also served as a director of Intellon Corporation and from 2005 to 2009 served as a director of Neterion, Inc. Mr. Norby received a B.A. in Economics from Harvard University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Alvin S. Parven has been a director of Alexion since May 1999. Since 1997, Mr. Parven has been President of ASP Associates, a management and strategic consulting firm. From 1994 to 1997, Mr. Parven was Vice President at Aetna Business Consulting, reporting to the Office of the Chairman of Aetna. From 1987 to 1994, Mr. Parven was Vice President, Operations at Aetna Health Plans. Prior to 1987, he served in various capacities at Aetna including Vice President, Pension Services from 1983 to 1987. Mr. Parven is chairman of the General Employees Retirement Board of the Town of Palm Beach. Mr. Parven received his B.A. from Northeastern University.
Andreas Rummelt, Ph.D. has been a director of Alexion since February 2010. Since January 2011, he has served as the Chief Executive Officer of InterPharmaLink AG, a management consulting firm focused on advising companies in the healthcare industry. From December 2008 until January 2010, Dr. Rummelt was Group Head of Quality Assurance and Technical Operations at Novartis. He had been a member of the Executive Committee of Novartis from January 2006 until his resignation in January 2010. He joined Sandoz Pharma Ltd. in 1985 and held various positions of increasing responsibility in development. In 1994, he was appointed Head of Worldwide Technical Research and Development, a position he retained following the merger that created Novartis in 1996. From 1999 to 2004, Dr. Rummelt served as Head of Technical Operations of the Novartis Pharmaceuticals Division and from 2004 to 2008 as Head of Sandoz. Dr. Rummelt is a director of Acino Holding AG, a pharmaceutical company focused on novel delivery forms listed on the Swiss stock exchange, Selica Limited, a private company providing radiolabelling and drug discovery services located in the United Kingdom and Xellia Pharmaceuticals, a private specialty pharmaceutical company focused on providing anti-infective treatments against serious and life-threatening infections located in Norway. Dr. Rummelt graduated with a Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences from the University of Erlangen-Nuernberg, Germany.

Ann M. Veneman, J.D. has been a director of Alexion since May 2010. She was most recently the Executive Director of UNICEF, a position she held from her appointment by the United Nations Secretary General in May 2005 until April 2010. As Executive Director, Ms. Veneman worked on behalf of the United Nations children's agency to help children around the world by advocating for and protecting their rights. Ms. Veneman was responsible for more than 11,000 UNICEF staff members in more than 150 countries. Prior to joining UNICEF, Ms. Veneman served as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, or USDA, from January 2001 until January 2005. From 1986 until 1993, she served in various positions at the USDA, including Deputy Secretary, Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs and Commodity Programs, and Associate Administer of the Foreign Agricultural Service. From 1995 until 1999, Ms. Veneman served as Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Ms. Veneman has also practiced law in Washington, DC and California in both the private and public sectors. Ms. Veneman is a director of Nestlé, S.A., a global nutrition, health and wellness company listed on the Swiss stock exchange. Ms. Veneman received a B.A. from the University of California, Davis, a Master's degree in Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley, and a J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of Law.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Board of Directors held 7 meetings. During 2011, each incumbent director attended, either in person or via teleconference, all of the meetings of the Board of Directors and all committees of the Board of Directors on which he or she served. It is our policy that members of the Board of Directors should attend and be present at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. All incumbent directors attended the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

The Board of Directors has determined that eight of its nine members (Drs. Link, Madri, and Rummelt, Messrs. Keller, Mathis, Norby, and Parven and Ms. Veneman) are "independent directors" as that term is defined under the NASDAQ Stock Market Listing Standards and the SEC rules and regulations. During all of the regularly scheduled meetings in fiscal year 2011, that is five of the seven meetings held during 2011, the Board of Directors met in executive session where only the independent directors were present without any members of Alexion's management.

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Neither we nor any of our subsidiaries are party to any material proceedings to which any of our directors, officers, affiliates, 5% or more stockholders, or any of their respective associates are a party. We do not believe that any of our directors, officers, affiliates, 5% or more stockholders, or any of their respective associates are adverse to us or any of our subsidiaries or have a material interest that is adverse to us or any of our subsidiaries.

Audit Committee

In February 1993, the Board established a separately designated standing Audit Committee to review the internal accounting procedures of Alexion, consult with our independent registered public accounting firm and review the services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to a charter which has been approved and adopted by the Board of Directors and is reviewed and reassessed annually by the Audit Committee. A copy of the Audit Committee charter is available on Alexion's website at -- http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/ALXN/1465242430x0x310908/d6794e0d-0a65-4b3a-97f2-51e08eb010c7/AUDIT_COMMITTEE_CHARTER.pdf. Dr. Link, Mr. Mathis, Mr. Norby and Dr. Rummelt are the current members of the Audit Committee. Mr. Norby serves as chairman. The Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Audit Committee is an "independent director" as that term is defined under the NASDAQ Stock Market Listing Standards and the SEC rules and regulations. Our Board of Directors has also determined that Mr. Norby is an "audit committee financial expert" as that term is defined under the NASDAQ Stock Market Listing Standards and the SEC rules and regulations. During the year ended December 31, 2011 the Audit Committee held 8 meetings.

Compensation Committee

In February 1993, the Board of Directors established a Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee reviews compensation practices, determines and approves compensation of our chief executive officer and all other executive officers, and administers our equity compensation and incentive plans. The Compensation Committee operates pursuant to a charter which has been approved and adopted by the Board of Directors and is reviewed and reassessed annually by the committee. A copy of the Compensation Committee charter is available on Alexion's website at -- http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/ALXN/1465242430x0x310915/74b62adc-4390-4f7b-b5c2-a2edd2fc46f4/comp_comm_charter.pdf. Mr. Keller, Dr. Madri, Mr. Parven and Ms. Veneman are the current members of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Parven serves as chairman. The Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Compensation Committee is an "independent director" as that term is defined under the NASDAQ Stock Market Listing Standards and the SEC rules and regulations. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Compensation Committee held 5 meetings.

For more information on the responsibilities and activities of the Compensation Committee, including the committee's processes for determining executive compensation, see the Compensation Discussion and Analysis below in this proxy statement.

Pharmaceutical Compliance and Quality Committee

In December 2004, the Board established a Compliance and Quality Committee. In December 2009, the committee changed its name to the Pharmaceutical Compliance and Quality Committee. The Pharmaceutical Compliance and Quality Committee provides leadership and guidance to Alexion on aspects of pharmaceutical compliance and regulatory matters, except where those matters involve financial controls or the financial audit function. The Pharmaceutical Compliance and Quality Committee operates pursuant to a charter which has been approved and adopted by the Board of Directors and is reviewed and reassessed annually by the committee. Drs. Link, Madri, and Rummelt are the current members of the Pharmaceutical Compliance and Quality Committee. Dr. Rummelt is the current chairman. The Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Pharmaceutical Compliance and Quality Committee is an "independent director" as that term is defined under the NASDAQ Stock Market Listing Standards. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Pharmaceutical Compliance and Quality Committee held 4 meetings.


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Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

In June 2003, the Board of Directors established the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to provide leadership and guidance to Alexion, review and recommend new directors to the Board of Directors, establish the necessary Board committees to provide oversight to Alexion, and make recommendations regarding committee membership. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee operates pursuant to a charter which has been approved and adopted by the Board of Directors and is reviewed and reassessed annually by the committee. The Nominating and Governance Committee charter is posted on Alexion's website at -- http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/ALXN/1168093365x0x311136/a35d8aa8-6797-4be1-a369-53bc9bcfc572/Nominating_GovernanceCommitteeCharter.pdf. Messrs. Keller, Mathis, Norby, Parven and Ms. Veneman are the current members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Mathis serves as chairman. The Board of Directors has determined that each member is an "independent director" as that term is defined under the NASDAQ Stock Market Listing Standards. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held 4 meetings.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Process for Selecting Nominees and Stockholder Nominations

It is the policy of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to consider candidates for Board membership recommended by Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee members and other Board members, management, our stockholders, third-party search firms and any other appropriate sources. If a consulting firm is retained to assist in the search process for a director, a fee is typically paid to such firm whether or not a candidate proposed by the consulting firm is elected to the Board or is recommended to the Board by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee for inclusion in the slate of nominees to be elected at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. As a stockholder, you may recommend a person for consideration as a nominee for director by writing to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors, c/o Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 352 Knotter Drive, Cheshire, Connecticut 06410, Attention: Corporate Secretary. Recommendations must be received by December 15, 2012 to be considered for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Recommendations must include the name and address of the stockholder making the recommendation, a representation setting forth the number of shares of our common stock beneficially owned by the recommending stockholder, a statement from the recommended nominee that expresses his or her intent to serve on the Board if elected, biographical information about the recommended nominee, any other information the stockholder believes would be helpful to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in evaluating the recommended nominee and a description of all arrangements or understandings between the recommending stockholder and each nominee and any other person concerning the nomination. The evaluation process for nominees recommended by stockholders is the same as for candidates recommended by any other source.

Board Diversity

Diversity enhances the overall effectiveness of our Board by ensuring that different perspectives, skills and experiences are presented to directors and to management. In accordance with its charter, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for advising the Board on diversity, including gender, ethnic background, country of citizenship and professional experience, and recommending, as necessary, measures that contribute to a Board that, as a whole, reflects a range of viewpoints, backgrounds, skills, experience and expertise. The committee reviews Board composition on an annual basis to ensure that the Board reflects the knowledge, experience, skills, expertise and diversity required for the Board to fulfill its duties. The Board defines diversity broadly and does not limit its assessment to gender, race or ethnic diversity. The committee assesses the effectiveness of its diversity policy at least once each year.

Director Qualifications

The Board seeks independent directors who represent a range of viewpoints, backgrounds, skills, experience and expertise. Board members should possess the attributes necessary to be an effective director,

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including the following: personal and professional integrity, high ethical values, sound business judgment, demonstrated exceptional business and professional skills and experience, teamwork and a commitment to the long-term interests of Alexion and its stockholders. In evaluating candidates, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also considers potential conflicts of interest, diversity, the requirement to maintain a Board that is composed of a majority of independent directors, and the extent to which a candidate would fill a present or anticipated need. In any particular situation, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may focus on individuals possessing a particular background, experience or qualifications which the committee believes would be important to enhance the effectiveness of the Board.

The Alexion directors possess the individual attributes described above and represent a desirable range of viewpoints, backgrounds, skills, experience and expertise. Below is a description of certain specific experiences, qualifications, attributes and skills of our directors that led the Board to conclude that the individual should serve as a director.
Max Link, Ph.D.
Dr. Link is Alexion's current Chairman and his continued service in this leadership role is important to the Board. He has more than thirty years of executive management experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including as chief executive officer of multiple multinational pharmaceutical companies, and has extensive experience in international business operations and financial matters. Dr. Link also has extensive experience serving on the boards of international pharmaceutical and healthcare companies, both public and private, and we value his corporate governance experience resulting from his service on public company boards.
William R. Keller
Mr. Keller lives and works in China and possesses extensive working knowledge and experience of the pharmaceutical industry in China. He has more than thirty years of executive management experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including as a chief executive officer in China, and he led the Latin American expansion and operations for a major pharmaceutical company in markets where Alexion is currently focused.
Joseph A. Madri, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Madri has had a long and distinguished career as a faculty member of Yale University, where he is currently a professor of pathology, and molecular, cellular and developmental biology. He is the only current director who spent his entire career in research and academia. Dr. Madri brings a valued perspective to the Board on matters of research, medicine and academia as it relates to Alexion's scientific, research and development activities.
Larry L. Mathis
Mr. Mathis' 27 years of service within one of the country's leading teaching hospital systems, including 14 years as CEO, provides the Board with a valued perspective of the healthcare industry, hospital administration and leadership. His chairmanship of the boards of national and international industry and professional associations and federal government commissions provides insight into healthcare policy development.

R. Douglas Norby
Mr. Norby has extensive experience in financial and accounting matters, including public accounting and reporting. During his forty year career, he served in executive management positions at several multinational organizations, including as president, chief operating officer and chief financial officer, and he has extensive experience in financial and accounting reporting processes and internal control systems. His experience serving on public company boards also provides valued perspective on matters of corporate governance and financial matters.
Alvin S. Parven
Mr. Parven served for more than thirty years in executive management positions at a multinational insurance company. He has extensive experience in managing developed organizations that provide specialized and technical services, particularly in the areas of health insurance and benefits. He possesses extensive experience in provider operations, which brings an important perspective to the Board and to management on matters of reimbursement.
Andreas Rummelt, Ph.D.
Dr. Rummelt has spent most of his career in the areas of pharmaceutical manufacturing, quality and technical

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matters, which provides an important perspective to the Board and to management as Alexion develops its own manufacturing operations and facility. He served more than twenty years in executive management positions in the pharmaceutical industry, including as a chief executive officer and most recently as a senior executive of a large, multinational pharmaceutical company. Dr. Rummelt possesses a broad understanding of international business operations, particularly with respect to manufacturing, quality and technical matters.
Ann M. Veneman, J.D.
Ms. Veneman is an attorney who has dedicated more than twenty five years to government service, including senior national and international positions. She has led state and federal government agencies and possesses extensive experience working with government leaders and organizations. Ms. Veneman has worked closely with national governments throughout the world and possesses a deep understanding of international political organizations. Ms. Veneman's public service brings an important perspective to the Board and an important understanding of state and federal government and international organizations.

Board Leadership Structure

Since its founding in 1992, Alexion has separated the positions of Chairman and CEO, and the Board believes that separating the roles continues to be the most appropriate structure for Alexion. The Board believes that an independent chairman enables the Board to more effectively and objectively monitor the performance of Alexion, the CEO and management. By separating the positions, the Board believes that Dr. Bell may devote his attention to Alexion's global operations and strategy while Dr. Link can take responsibility for leading the Board.

Board's Role in Risk Oversight

The Board is responsible for overseeing Alexion's risk management processes. The full Board performs a periodic risk assessment with management to review the primary risks facing Alexion and to manage the activities of Alexion in identifying and mitigating such risks. Management identifies risks in multiple areas, including compliance, financial, strategic, political and operational risks, and on a regular basis the Board reviews together with management. The Board recognizes that Alexion is subject to both internal and external risks, within and outside its control, and that management and the Board should regularly seek to identify those risks and mitigate to the extent possible. As part of the risk management process and consistent with its standing oversight role, each Board committee considers the risks within its areas of responsibility and assists the Board in its oversight of the risk management process.

In reviewing Alexion's compensation programs, Alexion has reviewed whether compensation policies and practices create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on Alexion and has concluded that they do not create such risks as presently constituted.

Succession Planning
An important responsibility of the Board and the CEO is to ensure long term continuity of leadership. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee annually reviews and makes recommendations to the Board relating to management succession planning, including policies and plans for succession in the event of an emergency or the retirement of the CEO and members of Alexion's global executive team. In addition, the CEO and Alexion's senior executives discuss future candidates for leadership positions at all levels within Alexion's global organization. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee annually reviews and discusses the leadership succession plan. The Board considers succession planning to be an important factor in managing the long term planning and success of Alexion's business.

Stockholder Communications with the Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors has provided a process for stockholders to send communications to the Board. Stockholders who wish to send communications to the Board, or any particular director, should address such communications to the Board of Directors, c/o Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 352 Knotter Drive, Cheshire,

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Connecticut 06410, Attention: Corporate Secretary. All such communications should include a representation from the submitting stockholder setting forth the stockholder's address and the number of shares of Alexion common stock beneficially owned by the stockholder.

The Corporate Secretary will (i) be primarily responsible for monitoring communications from stockholders and (ii) provide copies or summaries of such communications to the Board, or the director to whom such communication is addressed, as the Corporate Secretary considers appropriate. Each stockholder communication will be forwarded if it relates to a substantive matter and includes suggestions or comments that the Corporate Secretary considers to be important for the directors, or director, to know. In general, stockholder communications relating to corporate governance and long-term corporate strategy are more likely to be forwarded than stockholder communications relating to personal grievances and matters as to which we tend to receive repetitive or duplicative communications. The Board will give appropriate attention to written communications on such issues and will respond as appropriate.

Code of Ethics

We adopted the Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Global Code of Conduct, or code of ethics, that applies to directors, officers and employees of Alexion and its subsidiaries and complies with SEC rules and regulations and the listing standards of the NASDAQ Global Market. Our code of ethics is located on our website at -- http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/ALXN/1465242430x0x458560/4f01d528-f7fa-4ceb-ae43-da75faf48d45/Global_Code_of_Conduct_April_2011.pdf. We amended the code of ethics in April 2011 and any future amendments or waivers to our code of ethics will be promptly disclosed on our website and as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations of the SEC and NASDAQ.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

The Board believes that sound governance practices and policies provide an important framework to assist it in fulfilling its duty to stockholders. The Board has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines and relies on the guidelines to provide that framework. The guidelines are not absolute rules, and can be modified to reflect changes in Alexion's organization or business environment. The Board reviews the guidelines on an annual basis and if necessary, modifies the guidelines to reflect current good governance practices and policies. Alexion's Corporate Governance Guidelines are located on our website at -- http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/ALXN/1465242430x0x311960/ba922235-2cbb-4d85-9d1a-ebd44ac4eccd/CorporateGovernanceGuidelines.pdf.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires our directors, executive officers and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of our common stock, to file initial reports of beneficial ownership of our stock and reports of changes in beneficial ownership of our stock with the SEC. Executive officers, directors and greater than ten percent beneficial owners are required by the SEC to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

Based solely upon a review of the copies of such forms furnished to us and written representations from our executive officers and directors, we believe that during the year ended December 31, 2011 all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our executive officers, directors and greater than ten percent beneficial owners were complied with on a timely basis, other than the Form 4s filed by Mr. Vikas Sinha on June 1, 2011 and by Dr. Stephen Squinto on October 25, 2011.



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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Introduction

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis section discusses Alexion's executive officer compensation program and the compensation decisions made with respect to 2011 compensation for our executive officers identified in the Summary Compensation Table (referred to as the named executive officers). Alexion's named executive officers for 2011 were:
Leonard Bell, M.D., Chief Executive Officer;
Stephen P. Squinto, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Head of Research and Development;
Vikas Sinha, M.B.A., C.A., Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer;
Patrice Coissac, Senior Vice President, President of Alexion Pharma International Sàrl; and
David Hallal, Senior Vice President, Global Commercial Operations.

The material elements of 2011 compensation for Alexion's named executive officers includes:
base salary for fiscal year 2011;
annual cash incentive bonus with respect to 2011 performance, which was paid in February 2012;
special bonus awards paid with respect to significant individual and company achievements; and
long-term equity-incentive awards (LTIs) granted in February 2011.

2011 Company Performance

Total Stockholder Return
A substantial portion of our named executives' compensation opportunity is provided in equity-based compensation. This serves to align the long-term interests of our executives with those of our stockholders. Alexion's total stockholder return (TSR) for the 1 year period ending in December 2011 exceeded all but one of the companies in our 2011 peer group, which is identified and discussed below. Alexion's TSR for the 3 and 5 year periods ending in December 2011 exceeded all of these 2011 peers:

 
1-Year TSR
3-Year TSR
5-Year TSR
 
 
 
 
Alexion Actual
77.5%
58.1%
47.9%
Peer Group Median Actual
21.7%
21.2%
6.5%
Alexion Percentile Rank
93%
100%
100%

Alexion's 1-year TSR outperformed 13 of 14 of its 2011 peer companies.

Alexion's 3-year and 5-year TSR outperformed all 14 of its 2011 peer companies.

For each of the 5 calendar years 2007 - 2011, the market price of Alexion's common stock attained a 52-week high and exceeded its 52-week high for the previous calendar year.

The closing price of Alexion's common stock on January 3, 2007 was $10.15 (adjusted for stock splits) and the closing price of Alexion's common stock on December 31, 2011 was $71.50 (adjusted for stock splits), representing an increase of approximately 604%.

Three and five year TSR reported above is the simple average of the annual TSR over the measurement period, calculated by dividing the sum of the annual stock appreciation for each applicable year by three and five, respectively.



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Financial Performance

In 2011, Alexion demonstrated strong financial performance through disciplined commercial operations and expense management. Alexion achieved significant financial milestones in 2011.

Alexion's 2011 net product sales increased 45% from the previous year to $783.4 million.

Alexion's 2011 net income increased 81% from the previous year to $175.3 million.

Alexion's 2011 earnings per share increased 75% from the previous year to $0.91 per share.

Soliris Label Expansion and Product Development

In 2011, Alexion successfully achieved multiple important product development milestones. This success further enables us to develop our product platform and pursue our mission of serving more patients with severe and ultra-rare disorders through the innovation, development and commercialization of life-transforming therapeutic products.

Soliris received marketing approval for a second indication:
In September 2011, Soliris was approved in the United States for the treatment of pediatric and adult patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS).
In November 2011, Soliris was approved in the European Union for the treatment of pediatric and adult patients with aHUS.

Alexion commenced enrollment in a multi-national, multi-site controlled clinical trial of eculizumab in presensitized renal transplant patients at elevated risk for acute hemoral rejection and receiving living donor grafts.

Alexion initiated an open-label clinical trial to investigate eculizumab as a treatment for patients with Shiga toxin E. Coli related Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome.

Strategic Transactions

In 2011, we strategically expanded our product pipeline through the acquisition of innovative products.

In January 2011, Alexion acquired Taligen Therapeutics, Inc. and its preclinical compound for the potential treatment of patients with ophthalmic diseases and other novel antibody and protein regulators of the complement inflammatory pathways.

In February 2011, Alexion acquired patents and assets from Orphatec Pharmaceuticals GmbH related to an investigational therapy for patients with Type A molybdenum cofactor deficiency, an ultra-rare disorder characterized by severe brain damage and rapid death in newborn infants for which there are no approved treatments.

In December 2011, Alexion entered into a definitive agreement for the acquisition of Enobia Pharma Corp. and Enobia's lead product candidate asfotase alfa, a human recombinant targeted alkaline phosphatase enzyme-replacement therapy for patients suffering with hypophosphatasia, an ultra-rare, life-threatening, genetic metabolic disease for which there are no approved treatments.

Corporate Governance

In May 2011, the Board of Directors approved stock ownership guidelines applicable to Alexion's directors, CEO and other senior executives, as described in more detail below.

In December 2011, the Board of Directors adopted and approved amendments to Alexion's Amended and

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Restated Bylaws to provide for a majority voting standard for the election of directors in uncontested elections.

2011 Compensation Highlights and Key Decisions

Base Salaries should be paid at or near the market median. The base salaries for our named executive officers were increased to bring their base salary closer to the market median of our peer group, which is identified and discussed below. Our CEO's base salary was significantly below the median. The Compensation Committee approved an increase of 18.8% in Dr. Bell's salary to bring his salary within a reasonable range of the market median (approximately 15% below). Base salaries for our other named executive officers were also below the market median and the committee approved increases ranging from 7% - 15% to bring base salaries closer to the median of the peer group.

Annual cash incentive awards reflected exceptional 2011 company and individual performance. We seek to tie a substantial portion of an executive's overall compensation to Alexion's performance. In 2011, as described above, Alexion executed on its strategic plan and produced strong financial results and significant value creation for its stockholders, and achieved multiple strategic and product objectives. The committee determined that significant cash incentive awards were warranted and consistent with Alexion's philosophy of paying for performance.

Long-term incentive awards, particularly stock options, are an important element of compensation and value creation. We target the market median for base salary and annual target cash incentives, and we believe that equity compensation should be targeted at the 75th percentile of our market peers. The committee believes that its practice of awarding LTIs to Alexion executives has contributed to long-term successful company performance. In particular, the use of stock options aligns the interests of our executives with our stockholders because our executives will only realize a return on the option if Alexion's stock price increases. Stock options do not guarantee value to the executive and value can only be generated if Alexion achieves its long term objectives.

Summary of Compensation Analysis

Each year the Compensation Committee regularly reviews and establishes Alexion's overall executive compensation strategy. The committee evaluates Alexion's then current compensation programs and considers whether changes are necessary or advisable due to changed conditions, company performance, best practices or otherwise. As part of the evaluation, the committee considers whether new programs or strategies should be introduced.

Based on its assessment, and in consideration of many of the factors described throughout this discussion, the Compensation Committee believes that its executive compensation program substantially achieved its objectives for 2011 and is well aligned with the compensation philosophies described below. In May 2011, our Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, adopted stock ownership guidelines applicable to our directors, CEO and other senior executives to further align the long-term interests of our senior executives with the long-term interests of Alexion's stockholders. Other than the adoption of the stock ownership guidelines, the committee did not recommend any significant changes to its executive compensation program for 2011.

Key decisions regarding Alexion's 2011 executive officer compensation were made in February 2011 and February 2012.

February 2011. The Compensation Committee approved 2011 base salaries, annual cash incentive targets, special bonuses and LTIs.
February 2012. The Compensation Committee approved annual cash incentive payments for 2011 performance.





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Executive Compensation Philosophy

The primary objective of Alexion's executive compensation policy is to attract, retain and motivate the key executives necessary for Alexion's short- and long-term success. Alexion seeks to tie short- and long-term cash and equity incentives to employee performance, including the achievement of measurable corporate and individual objectives, and to align executives' incentives with stockholder value. The Compensation Committee seeks to implement its compensation programs in a way that ties a substantial portion of an executive's overall compensation to Alexion's performance and each element of an individual's compensation is evaluated and determined in consideration of such person's contribution and performance. No executive is guaranteed a cash or equity incentive award and such incentives are determined at levels that the committee believes drives performance.

The Compensation Committee approves compensation programs based on certain compensation philosophies, including the following:

Pay for performance. Compensation programs should reward performance, typically demonstrated through the achievement of corporate and individual performance objectives. Company performance is a key consideration in determining employee compensation. The Compensation Committee believes that compensation for Alexion's employees serving in the most senior management positions of the company should be most closely linked to corporate performance and increasing stockholder value. We structure our programs to deliver greater rewards when corporate and individual performance exceeds expectations or performance objectives. If corporate or individual performance is short of expectations, or if objectives are not achieved, our compensation programs are structured so that they deliver lower compensation.

Attract, retain and motivate. Compensation programs must be competitive to help Alexion attract, retain and motivate highly talented individuals with necessary skills and demonstrated abilities who will contribute to the success of Alexion by executing its short- and long-term strategic plan.

Competitive with peer group. Executive compensation should be considered in comparison with compensation paid by market peers to ensure that Alexion is competitive with other companies who compete with us for talent.

Balanced combination of compensation elements. Compensation programs should include the appropriate balance of cash and equity incentives to reward short-term and long-term performance. Each element of compensation should be used in a way that drives certain behavior, recognizing that different elements may be effectively used to drive different behavior. For example, LTIs are used to align the interests of our executive officers more closely with stockholders through equity ownership while our annual cash incentives are used to motivate individuals to achieve short-term objectives.

Fair and consistent. The overall structure of Alexion's compensation programs should be similar across its global organization, taking into account grade-level, geography and local considerations, and should drive reward opportunities for all employees based on responsibilities and performance.

Role of the Compensation Committee
Our executive compensation policy is set by the Compensation Committee and the committee is also responsible for approving the compensation of our named executive officers. The committee regularly reassesses and reviews our compensation policy and programs.
Compensation determinations are not based on a rigid mathematical formula but rather multiple factors. The committee undertakes an annual benchmarking exercise to compare each executive's actual and proposed compensation to that of individuals in similar positions at a peer group of companies. Generally, the committee seeks to target base salary and target annual cash incentives for each named executive at or near the median of the peer group and LTIs at or near the 75th percentile. The committee also evaluates the annual performance of Alexion and the CEO by assessing the achievement of Alexion's objectives, which are approved at the beginning of each performance period, and determining the level of achievement which is calculated as a percentage of the objective.

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The committee reviews and approves the CEO's evaluation of individual performance of Alexion's other executive officers, including an assessment of achievement of individual objectives. Finally, the Compensation Committee takes into account each individual's contributions in resolving unanticipated matters, general economic conditions, and any other factors the committee deems relevant. Per its charter, the Compensation Committee may form subcommittees and delegate authority to any subcommittee or other administrator, as appropriate.
Role of Executives in 2011 Compensation Decisions

It is Alexion's policy that no named executive officer participates or makes recommendations regarding his or her own compensation.
A small number of executives generally attend Compensation Committee meetings, including the Company's CEO, CFO, Chief Legal Officer, and Chief Human Resources Officer. All independent directors who are not members of the committee are also invited to attend, and typically do attend, committee meetings. Executive sessions of the Compensation Committee are conducted without the presence of Alexion executives.
The CEO, with limited staff and management support, works with the Compensation Committee and our compensation consultant to determine total compensation recommendations for our named executive officers other than himself. Dr. Bell's recommendations are submitted to the Compensation Committee for review, discussion, modification and approval.
The Compensation Committee is responsible for evaluating and determining CEO compensation and works directly with the compensation consultant, with limited support from Alexion staff and without input from the CEO.
Role of the Compensation Consultant

In 2011, the Compensation Committee retained Meridian Compensation Partners LLC (Meridian) as an external, independent executive compensation consultant. The Compensation Committee uses the analysis prepared by the consultant as part of its periodic review of Alexion's executive and director compensation practices. The consultant reports directly to the committee, and the committee has the final authority to hire and terminate the consultant. The committee evaluates the consultant annually.

Our consultant attends meetings of the committee, as requested, and communicates with the committee chairman between meetings; however, the committee makes all decisions regarding the compensation of our executive officers.

Meridian does not provide any consulting advice to Alexion outside the scope of executive compensation.

Components of Compensation - General

The components of executive compensation we pay include the following:

base salary;
annual cash incentives, or cash bonuses;
long-term equity-based incentives, or LTIs; and
special bonuses.

The Compensation Committee believes that each component of compensation should be used in a manner that drives certain conduct, recognizing that different components may be effectively used to drive different conduct. The committee believes that base salary should provide a secure, fixed amount of compensation to attract and retain highly talented individuals, while the second cash element of compensation, annual cash incentives, should be used as a tool to motivate executives to achieve short-term, annual success. Meanwhile, LTIs more closely align the interests of our executives with those of our stockholders. Special bonuses may be awarded from time to time to recognize one-time significant achievements.

When establishing annual incentive compensation opportunities, the committee evaluates the 50th and 75th percentiles of the peer group for similar positions to understand where these opportunities fall relative to the

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competitive market. In making compensation determinations, the Compensation Committee considers each component of compensation in relation to the total amount of compensation paid and whether the compensation package as a whole adequately compensates each executive for Alexion's performance during the past year and each executive's contribution to such performance.

In consideration of Alexion's 2011 performance, the committee sought to achieve 2011 total compensation above the median and in the third quartile of the market peers, even if certain components were below or above such level. Generally, 2011 base salary and target annual cash incentives for each named executive was at or near the median at the time it was determined, while LTIs were above the market median and closer to the 75th percentile.

The Compensation Committee monitors the risks associated with our executive compensation programs and individual compensation decisions. We have concluded that risks associated with our compensation policies and practices are within our ability to effectively monitor and manage and that the risks are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on Alexion.

We discuss each component of our compensation program in more detail below, including the rationale for 2011 compensation decisions.

Peer Group Analysis
The Compensation Committee believes that executive compensation should be considered in comparison with compensation paid by market peers to ensure that Alexion is competitive with other companies who compete with us for talent. The Compensation Committee, together with its compensation consultant, reviews the peer group on a regular basis and approves the peer group annually. The committee believes that the factors listed below are the most important to consider for its determination of the Alexion peer group:
Industry. A peer company should operate in the same industry.
Recruiting. A peer company should compete with Alexion for talent.
Financial metrics. A peer company's financial performance should be similar to Alexion's. The committee measures financial performance by comparing annual revenues, which the committee believes is the appropriate financial metric and is the metric used by many companies and proxy advisory firms.
Market Capitalization. A peer company's market capitalization should be similar, but not necessarily identical, to Alexion's market capitalization as an indicator of financial performance, investment and size.
Global Presence. A peer company should conduct global commercial operations and maintain a worldwide presence.
Orphan Disease Focus. A peer company should be exclusively focused on the development and commercialization of therapeutic products for rare diseases.
The committee endeavors to select peer companies that exhibit all of the factors set forth above but recognizes that it cannot develop a peer group in which all companies exhibit all factors. All of Alexion's peer companies are in the same industry and have the same or similar Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code. However, the similarities between Alexion and a particular peer company with respect to any of the other factors listed above, such as market capitalization, will vary. Further, with respect to a particular factor, such as orphan disease focus, there may be no similarity. The committee believes that in some cases the peer group should be designed to purposefully include companies that are not identical to Alexion. For example, the committee believes that the peer group should include companies with both higher as well as lower market capitalization than Alexion to fairly represent the median compensation paid to executives at such companies as a group. However, in some cases, the lack of similarity is not by design of the peer group, but rather because there are not a sufficient number of companies that are similar to Alexion with respect to such factor. For example, not all companies in Alexion's peer group have a global presence. The committee believes that it is not possible to eliminate such differences entirely and recognizes the possibility that shifts in its peer group selection could influence executive compensation decisions. The committee seeks to mitigate such risk by not relying entirely on any one or two factors, but to

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include companies that represent as many of the factors listed above as possible. The committee also seeks to avoid reliance on one or two factors alone, such as financial metrics and market capitalization, because doing so would likely alter, possibly significantly, the results of the benchmarking exercise and the committee's determinations. The committee believes that the mix of factors listed above results in a balanced and representative peer group taking into consideration Alexion's operations and needs, and the committee expects that use of such peer group will result in compensation decisions that support the company's compensation philosophy and objectives.
The committee generally compares the compensation of each named executive officer in relation to both the median and the 75th percentile of the peer group for similar positions at the peer group. The committee also takes into account various factors such as the unique characteristics of the individual's position, and any succession and retention considerations.

The committee performed two peer group analyses to assist in its 2011 decision making:

2010 Analysis: used to determine 2011 base salaries, targets for annual incentive awards, special bonus awards and LTIs.

2011 Analysis: used to determine 2011 annual incentive bonus payments and 2012 compensation.

2010 Peer Group Analysis

Meridian advised the committee in December of 2010 in its determination of base salaries and LTIs for 2011 as well as setting targets for annual cash incentive awards for 2011 for our executives, including the named executive officers. Meridian assisted the Compensation Committee by providing comparative market data for 2010 programs and practices based on an analysis of executive compensation at the peer group companies identified below.

The peer group used by the committee to assist in the determination of (a) 2011 base salaries, (b) 2011 targets for annual incentive awards, and (c) 2011 LTIs, comprised of the following companies:

Allergan, Inc.
Celgene Corporation
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Amgen, Inc.
Cephalon, Inc.
Human Genome Scienses, Inc.
Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation
Biogen Idec, Inc.
Forest Laboratories, Inc.
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
BioMarin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Genzyme Corporation
United Therapeutics Corporation
 
 
ViroPharma Incorporated

Meridian collected its data from peer group proxy statements and from the 2010 Radford Global Life Sciences Survey.

2011 Peer Group Analysis
At the end of 2011, the committee, together with Meridian, reviewed the peer group that had been selected in the beginning of the year and modified the group based on its evaluation of several factors, including the factors described above under Peer Group Analysis.
The peer group used by the committee to assist in the determination of 2011 annual incentive bonuses comprised of the following companies:


20



Allergan, Inc.
Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Amgen, Inc.
Forest Laboratories, Inc.
United Therapeutics Corporation
Biogen Idec, Inc.
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
ViroPharma Incorporated
BioMarin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Human Genome Sciences, Inc.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Celgene Corporation
Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation
 

The decision regarding the amount of each named executive officer's annual cash incentive award for 2011 performance was made in February 2012 at the same time the committee determined 2012 base salaries, 2012 annual incentive targets, and 2012 LTIs.

2011 Compensation Components

As a baseline for awarding compensation and prior to making annual executive compensation decisions, the Compensation Committee evaluates Alexion's performance for the prior year by assessing if, and the extent to which, Alexion achieved or failed to achieve the corporate goals approved by the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors. To assist in the determination of (a) 2011 base salaries, (b) 2011 targets for annual incentive awards, and (c) 2011 LTIs, the committee evaluated Alexion's performance in February of 2011 and determined that Alexion achieved 120% of its approved corporate goals for 2010. Specifically, Alexion obtained marketing approval of Soliris® (eculizumab) for the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, or PNH, in Japan and initiated the marketing authorization process in 4 additional countries; Alexion successfully completed and obtained reimbursement in Japan and Australia; obtained regulatory approval of our manufacturing facility in Rhode Island by the FDA for the production of Soliris; and simultaneously limited operating expenses to less than budget and achieved a pre-tax profit for the full year. Further, Alexion's net product sales of Soliris during 2010 was $541 million, an increase from 2009 of approximately 40%.

Alexion's one-year total stockholder return exceeded 94% of the companies in the 2010 peer group, Alexion's three-year total stockholder return exceeded 88% of the companies in that same peer group, and the five-year total stockholder return was higher than 100% of the companies in this peer group. As in prior years, the committee considered this achievement particularly important, and recognized the long-term value created for Alexion's stockholders.

The Compensation Committee places significant emphasis on the use of comparative market data. The committee uses the market information to ensure that compensation for executives is at least competitive with the peer group. The information also provides a framework for the committee in evaluating and awarding compensation in circumstances of superior performance. Meridian provides peer group data for each Alexion executive by matching the Alexion executive with executives in the peer group with similar titles and similar job responsibilities. The committee also recognizes that differences exist between the duties of Alexion's executives (other than the CEO) and those matched at the peer group of companies. The committee considers such differences when evaluating compensation and performance.

In February 2011, the committee approved (a) 2011 base salaries, (b) 2011 annual cash incentive targets and (c) 2011 LTIs. In approving and awarding these components of compensation, the committee determined that Alexion exceeded its corporate goals, had a strong performance in 2010, and that the committee should seek to achieve total compensation for each executive between the 50th and 75th percentile of the peer group.

Actual annual cash incentives for 2011 were approved in February 2012 and are discussed in more detail below.

Base Salary
Alexion seeks to maintain base salaries at approximately the 50th percentile of its peer group.
Base salary represents a secure, fixed component of an executive's compensation. Determinations of base

21



salary levels for our executives are established based on the position, the scope of responsibilities, and the prior relevant background, training and experience of each individual. Base salaries take into account an annual review of marketplace competitiveness with the peer group. We believe that base salaries for our executives are competitive in the industry and that Alexion's base salary levels have contributed to our ability to successfully attract and retain highly talented executives.
In determining 2011 base salaries, the Compensation Committee relied on the market comparisons provided by its compensation consultant. As with each other component of compensation, an executive's base salary is evaluated together with other components of the executive's compensation in the aggregate to ensure that the executive's total compensation is in line with our overall compensation philosophy.
On an individual basis, 2011 annual increases in base salary reflect marketplace competitiveness levels, the industry's annual competitive pay practices, an individual's contributions to Alexion's overall performance, and length of service. Utilizing the peer group data, 2010 base salary of all positions for which there was available and adequate data was evaluated and compared to Alexion's base salaries during 2010. Dr. Bell's 2010 base salary was determined to be significantly below the 50th percentile among CEOs of the peer group. Overall, 2011 base salary for Alexion's named executive officers was determined to be below the 50th percentile among similar positions within the peer group.
In setting base salaries for 2011 and consistent with previous annual base salary evaluations, the Compensation Committee determined that base salaries for the named executive officers should be within an acceptable market median range (+/-10% of the median). In February 2011, the Compensation Committee approved increases of 18.8% for Dr. Bell, and 9%, 8%, 15% and 7%, for each of Dr. Squinto, and Messrs. Sinha, Hallal, and Coissac, respectively. Dr. Bell's base salary was significantly below the market median in the peer group and the committee approved an increase to bring Dr. Bell's base salary within a reasonable range of the market median. Mr. Hallal's 2010 base salary was determined to be considerably below the market median and the committee approved an increase of 15% to more closely align Mr. Hallal's salary with the median. The Compensation Committee recognized that 2010 base salaries for Dr. Squinto and Mssrs. Sinha and Coissac were at or near the market median and approved increases in consideration of the peer group data and to maintain salaries at approximately the median level.

Annual Incentives Bonuses

Alexion seeks to deliver target annual incentives at approximately the 50th percentile of the peer group. In 2011 and in consideration of Alexion's strong 2011 performance, the amount of annual incentives actually paid to our named executive officers was above the market median of the peer companies and closer to the 75th percentile.

Annual cash incentive bonuses are designed to reward annual achievements and to be commensurate with each executive officers' scope of responsibilities, demonstrated leadership, management abilities and effectiveness in his role. Annual incentive bonuses are also intended to retain executives, to motivate executives to achieve short-term (annual) success, and to reward, in the short-term, significant contributions to the success of Alexion. While Alexion's policy is to base a significant portion of its senior executives' cash compensation on annual incentive bonuses, no senior executive of Alexion is guaranteed an annual incentive bonus. The Compensation Committee retains discretion to increase or decrease an executive's bonus payment based on an executive's individual performance during a given year.
As noted above, the Compensation Committee first approves each executive's target (a percentage of base salary), and then determines the actual amount of the annual incentive bonus to be paid based on Alexion's and the individual's performance during the year, as well as other factors considered by the committee.
In February 2011, the Compensation Committee approved the annual cash incentive bonus targets for its executives, including the named executive officers. The committee believed that targets should be set in a manner consistent with Alexion's compensation philosophy of paying for performance, and maintaining competitive compensation arrangements in order to retain and motivate highly talented individuals. The committee set targets at

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approximately the median of the peer group.
In February 2011, the committee established the following annual incentive bonus targets as a percentage of base salary for 2011: 100% for Dr. Bell, and 60% for each of Dr. Squinto, Mr. Sinha, Mr. Hallal and Mr. Coissac.
Actual annual cash incentive bonuses for 2011 were approved and paid in February 2012. Meridian advised the committee with respect to 2011 executive compensation matters, including payment of each executive's 2011 annual incentive bonus.
The awards of annual incentive bonuses are not based on a rigid mathematical formula but rather multiple factors, including the individual's incentive target, the committee's assessment of Alexion's performance and the individual's contribution to Alexion, the individual's total compensation compared to individuals in similar positions at the peer group of companies, and other individual accomplishments. The Compensation Committee also takes into account the individual's contributions in resolving unanticipated matters, general economic conditions, and any other factors the Compensation Committee deems relevant.
One important element of the Compensation Committee's evaluation of performance is a review of the achievement of the pre-determined annual corporate goals. The goals are intended to focus management's priorities in the operation of Alexion but are not intended to be the only element in the committee's determination of incentive bonuses.
At the beginning of each calendar year, the Compensation Committee establishes annual corporate performance goals. Corporate goals are proposed by management, reviewed and approved by the committee and also approved by the Board of Directors. The committee considers and assigns a relative weight to appropriately focus efforts on corporate goals that are intended to enhance stockholder value. In February 2012, prior to approving 2011 incentive bonuses, the committee evaluated Alexion's 2011 performance by assessing if, and the extent to which, Alexion achieved or failed to achieve the corporate goals approved by the committee and the Board of Directors for 2011. The committee conducted this exercise in February of 2012 and it was determined that Alexion's 2011 performance far exceeded the approved corporate goals.


 
Corporate Goal
Relative Weight
 
2011 Achievement
(1
)
Specific global revenue targets; specific targets for the number of patients treated with Soliris worldwide; targets for global expansion of commercial sales of Soliris in specific number of countries; initiate market authorization process in a specific number of other countries.
50
 
140%
(2
)
Obtain marketing authorizations in the U.S. and E.U. for Soliris for the treatment of aHUS; achieve clinical study enrollment targets; initiate clinical development in specific number of conditions with eculizumab; advance acquired products into clinical development.
20
 
140%
(3
)
Register Rhode Island manufacturing facility with regulatory authorities in specified countries; complete successful validations runs; optimize manufacturing processes for acquired product candidates.
10
 
95%
(4
)
Implement consistent regional organization and governance across global businesses; build integrated global human resources function; complete organizational development in support of talent acquisition, retention and promotion; expand global government affairs function; complete specified number of strategic acquisitions.
10
 
130%
(5
)
Limit operating expenses to a budgeted target and achieve a target pre-tax profit.
10
 
140%
 
Totals:
100
 
135%
In order to better focus Alexion's priorities, corporate goals are typically set by the Compensation Committee at a level that is achievable only as a result of superior performance (i.e., stretch goals). The Compensation Committee takes this factor into account in determining annual incentive bonuses.

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To optimize achievement of corporate goals, individual goals are set in support of annual corporate goals. Individual goals for 2011 overlapped with our corporate goals for 2011 and consisted of subgoals designed to achieve our corporate goals.
Dr. Bell's individual goals were substantially similar to Alexion's corporate goals and Dr. Bell's performance for 2011 was evaluated against achievement of Alexion's goals.
Dr. Squinto's individual goals included the following: obtain marketing approval in the U.S. and the E.U. of Soliris for the treatment of aHUS; complete enrollment in multiple clinical trials; initiate clinical development of Soliris in specified new indications and multiple additional indications; advance clinical development of acquired product candidates; define registration strategies; obtain marketing approval of Soliris for the treatment of PNH in certain countries; complete regulatory dossiers in multiple countries; ensure uninterrupted commercial supply chain; obtain regulatory approval of Rhode Island manufacturing facility for the production of Soliris for multiple countries; ensure clinical supply for certain product candidates. Dr. Squinto's goals and responsibilities were designed to support the achievement of each of the corporate goals, (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5), above.
Mr. Sinha's individual goals included the following: monitor and manage global revenues, cash balances and expenses against a pre-determined budget; evaluate and execute on business development opportunities; efficiently manage strategic planning process; review and recommend strategic risk mitigation strategies; optimize global financial and operations management; manage foreign currency and investment risk; manage IT system implementation for new entities and global disaster recovery; achieve specified revenue target in Japan and establish commercial and access pathways; obtain favorable price rulings for PNH; build corporate brand within and outside Alexion. Mr. Sinha's goals and responsibilities were designed to support the achievement of (1), (4) and (5) above.
Mr. Hallal's individual goals included the following: achieve global revenue targets for sales of Soliris; develop and support initiatives and strategies for patient identification, patient access and pricing; develop and optimize global marketing and operations team; develop and support global marketing initiatives for therapeutic areas; complete global commercial assessments; establish leadership development opportunities and support within global organization; and manage expenses within a pre-determined budget. Mr. Hallal's goals and responsibilities were designed to support the achievement of (1), (4) and (5) above.
Mr. Coissac's individual goals included the following: achieve revenue targets for sales of Soliris in Europe, the Middle East and Africa; complete favorable reimbursement rulings in various countries; complete evaluation of commercial and distribution strategies in various territories; lead strategic evaluations for new indications in Europe, the Middle East and Africa; create additional operational teams to support new entities and commercial markets; support and optimize global support and operations management; perform periodic leadership team meetings and identify necessary organization structure; and manage expenses within a pre-determined budget. Mr. Coissac's goals and responsibilities were designed to support the achievement of (1), (4) and (5) above.
Prior to the January 2012 committee meeting, Dr. Bell reviewed in detail the performance of each named executive officer, excluding himself, and considered such individual's contributions to Alexion's success in 2012. In making his recommendations, Dr. Bell worked closely with the Compensation Committee, relied on data provided by the compensation consultant, and received limited support from staff and other members of management.
The committee considered 2011 to be a transformative year for Alexion. Alexion was founded in 1992 and in 2007 launched its first commercial product, Soliris, for the treatment of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). Since 2007, almost all of Alexion's revenues have been attributed to product sales of Soliris for the treatment of patients with PNH. In 2011, the company attained key strategic milestones that could, and are expected to, provide long-term value to Alexion's business, to patients and to stockholders. In particular, Alexion:

1.
Expanded the Soliris Franchise. Alexion obtained marketing approval in the U.S. and E.U. for Soliris

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for the treatment of patients with aHUS.

2.
Secured Rights to Acquire a Late Stage Clinical Product. Alexion executed a definitive agreement to acquire all of the capital stock of Enobia Pharma Corp. and rights to asfotase alfa, a product in Phase II clinical trials for the treatment of patients with HPP.

During discussions regarding the 2011 annual incentive bonus for Alexion's executives, the committee considered and noted the following additional factors in assessing Alexion's 2011 performance:
Achievement of Alexion's 2011 corporate objectives. The Compensation Committee determined that Alexion achieved 135% of its corporate objective targets for 2011.
Increase in stockholder value. The committee reviewed Alexion's one, three and five year total stockholder return against the peer group.
1 year total stockholder return was 77.5% and higher than all but one of the companies in Alexion's peer group.
3 and 5 year total stockholder return was 58.1% and 47.9%, respectively, which was significantly higher than every company in the peer group.
The committee recognized that Alexion has successfully returned short-term and importantly long-term stockholder value. The committee considered this metric particularly important in making final decisions for annual cash incentive awards.
Strong financial results. Alexion exceeded revenue and expense targets. Net product sales increased 45%, net income increased 81%, and earnings per share increased 75%.
Completion of Strategic Transactions. Alexion acquired Taligen Therapeutics, Inc., certain assets from Orphatec Pharmaceuticals GmBH and executed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of the capital stock of Enobia Pharma Corp.
Dr. Bell recommended annual cash incentives based on strong individual and corporate performance in 2011. Alexion exceeded 2011 objectives and each executive made important contributions to Alexion's 2011 achievements. The Compensation Committee discussed Dr. Bell's recommendations for the named executive officers and determined that annual cash incentive decisions for the named executive officers, including Dr. Bell, should reflect Alexion's strong performance in 2011 and recognition of significant achievements.
As noted above, in February 2011, the committee established the following annual incentive bonus targets for 2011: 100% for Dr. Bell, and 60% for Dr. Squinto, Mr. Sinha, Mr. Hallal and Mr. Coissac. Dr. Bell, Dr. Squinto, Mr. Sinha, Mr. Hallal and Mr. Coissac received annual incentive bonuses in February 2012 with respect to 2011 performance of $2,400,000, $650,000, $600,000, $550,000, and $428,000, respectively, representing 253%, 228%, 211%, 199% and 169% of the target annual incentive bonus approved in February 2011, respectively.
The Compensation Committee determined that annual incentive bonuses paid for 2011, and total 2011 cash compensation, should be at or above the 75th percentile of the peer group. The committee determined that payment of significant bonuses, substantially above target and in the fourth quartile of the peer group, was appropriate in 2011 to reflect superior corporate and individual performance.
Further, the committee believed that Dr. Bell's annual incentive bonus should reflect Alexion's overall exceptional performance and the committee's assessment of Dr. Bell's contributions to such success. Specifically, the committee concluded that:
Dr. Bell was instrumental to Alexion's overall 2011 performance.
Dr. Bell's individual performance was assessed at a higher level than any other executive, recognizing that individual 2011 performances of the other executives was strong.
Dr. Bell's target was lower than median market levels because Dr. Bell's 2011 base salary was lower than the market median.




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Special Bonus

In January 2011 Alexion acquired 100% of the capital stock of Taligen Therapeutics, Inc. In February 2011 Alexion acquired certain patents and other assets from Orphatec Pharmaceuticals GmbH. The strategic transactions represented significant milestones for Alexion. The company was able to consummate two acquisitions to fortify its product pipeline and support its mission of developing innovative life-transforming products for patients with severe ultra-rare disorders. The contributions of Dr. Bell, Dr. Squinto and Mr. Sinha were recognized through payment of a one-time cash bonus of $450,000, $150,000 and $200,000 respectively. The bonus was paid in February 2011 and is included in the Summary Compensation Table under the column "Bonus."

In September 2011, Soliris was approved by the FDA for the treatment of pediatric and adult patients with aHUS. The marketing approval, followed by marketing approval in the E.U. of Soliris, was a significant achievement for Alexion in 2011 and represented the first label expansion for Soliris. Dr. Squinto's contributions were recognized through payment of a cash bonus of $50,000, one half paid in June 2011 in connection with the submission of the Biologics License Application and one half paid in October 2011 in connection with approval. The bonus is included in the Summary Compensation Table under the column "Bonus."

2011 Long-Term Incentive Awards

Alexion uses three types of long-term incentives (LTIs): stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units. The committee reviews and approves LTI grant guidelines for all positions and levels throughout the global organization other than executives (senior vice presidents and above). The LTI grant guidelines are established to ensure that Alexion's grant practices are competitive in each jurisdiction where our employees are located. We review market data by position, level and geographic region and establish guidelines and award values that we believe enable us to attract, retain and motivate a talented, values driven workforce.
An eligible employee will receive an annual award after the employee's performance is evaluated and the actual LTI value delivered for each individual recipient is based on the LTI guidelines and an assessment of an individual's performance.
The committee has not established LTI grant guidelines for its executives, including the named executive officers. Together with the compensation consultant, the committee conducts a detailed benchmarking exercise to evaluate each executive's award levels compared to market peers. In determining LTI awards for executives, the committee considers:
the peer group market data;
the individual's contribution and potential contribution to Alexion's growth and financial results;
the value of proposed awards;
corporate performance; and
the individual's level of responsibility within Alexion.
As is the case when the amount of base salary and annual cash incentive opportunity is determined, when determining LTI values, a review of all of the executive's compensation is conducted to ensure that an executive's total compensation conforms to our overall philosophy and objectives.

Options are granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of Alexion's common stock on the date of grant and, accordingly, will only have value if Alexion's stock price increases. Generally, LTI awards vest over four years and the individual must be employed by Alexion as an employee, director or consultant for such awards to vest. The Compensation Committee believes that conditioning these awards on employment also serves as a valuable retention tool.

The committee believes that long-term equity-based incentive awards are a critical element of compensation. However, like a short-term cash incentive award (or cash bonus), a long-term equity incentive award is a variable component of each employee's compensation and no individual, including any executive, is guaranteed to receive an award or a certain value. In determining 2011 grant levels, which were evaluated in February 2011, the committee recognized the importance of maintaining this alignment and considered Alexion's strong 2010

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performance. The committee believed that it was appropriate to set 2011 grant levels, similar to 2010, at approximately the 75th percentile.

The committee believes that its practice of awarding LTIs to Alexion executives has contributed to long-term successful performance, which has been demonstrated through substantial value creation for Alexion's stockholders.
LTIs were granted to executives (and other employees) in February 2011. The Compensation Committee approved LTIs to Dr. Bell, Dr. Squinto, Mr. Sinha, Mr. Hallal and Mr. Coissac in the amounts set forth in the table under the heading "Grants of Plan-Based Awards."

Termination Based Compensation

We provide severance payments and other benefits to our executives under written employment agreements if they are terminated without cause or in certain other instances, including in connection with a change of control. We believe that executives, particularly a company's most senior executives, often face challenges securing new employment following termination and that non-financial severance terms identify important continuing obligations of both Alexion and our named executives, such as protection against competition and solicitation. In addition, severance provisions related to a change of control also assist in retaining high quality executives and keeping them focused on their responsibilities during any period in which a change of control may be contemplated or pending, and in providing the executives a sense of security and trust that they will be treated fairly during such transactions. For details on the severance payments our executives are entitled to, please refer to the section entitled "Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control" in this proxy statement.

Personal Benefits

Our executives are eligible for the benefit programs provided to all employees, such as medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance benefits. We do not provide, and executives are not entitled to, perquisities such as permanent lodging, cars or defraying the cost of personal entertainment or family travel, other than Mr. Coissac. Mr. Coissac, President of Alexion Pharma International Sàrl, received certain benefits in connection with his relocation from Paris, France to Lausanne, Switzerland in 2009 and continues to receive certain ongoing personal benefits during his service in Switzerland, including a car allowance, housing allowance, one annual return journey to Paris for Mr. Coissac and his spouse, emergency travel if approved by Alexion, and the costs of relocation to Paris. The amounts paid to Mr. Coissac in 2011 for such benefits are reflected in the Summary Compensation Table.

Stock Ownership Guidelines

In May 2011, we adopted stock ownership guidelines for our executives to further align the long-term interests of our executives with our stockholders and to reinforce the association that our compensation programs create between our executives and our stockholders. Our current policy requires Alexion's executives to own shares with a value equal to a specific multiple of such executive's base salary as indicated in the table below. Shares owned by the individual, unvested restricted stock and unvested restricted stock units count towards the ownership goal. Directors and officers are required to meet these guidelines within five years of becoming subject to them.
Officer Level
Market Value as a
Multiple of
Base Salary
Chief Executive Officer
5x
Executive Vice President and Senior Vice President reporting to the CEO
3x
Other Senior Vice Presidents
1x

All of our executives currently satisfy the guidelines.



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Section 162(m) Policy

Under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, publicly held corporations may be prohibited from deducting as an expense for federal income tax purposes total compensation in excess of $1 million paid to certain executive officers in a single year. However, Section 162(m) provides an exception for certain qualifying "performance-based" compensation and we have structured our stock option grants in a manner that is intended to qualify them as "performance-based" compensation under Section 162(m). Although the Compensation Committee considers the net cost to Alexion in making all compensation decisions (including, for this purpose, the potential limitation on deductibility of executive compensation), we have in the past and may in the future award compensation that is not fully deductible under Section 162(m) in order to ensure competitive levels of total compensation for our executive officers and when we otherwise view such compensation as consistent with our compensation policies.

Effect of 2011 Say-on-Pay Vote

At the 2011 annual meeting, stockholders were asked to approve Alexion's 2010 executive compensation programs. More than 85% of our stockholders voted to approve the proposal. In consideration of these results and other factors that the Compensation Committee evaluates on a regular basis, the committee concluded that Alexion's existing executive compensation programs continue to be the most appropriate to support Alexion's compensation philosophy and objectives described in this discussion.

Other Compensation Matters

The Compensation Committee regularly reviews, assesses and discusses Alexion's compensation programs to determine whether its practices and policies achieve Alexion's compensation objectives and are consistent with the Company's compensation philosophies. The committee believes that compensation programs should be adjusted and should evolve over time due to many considerations and factors, including Alexion's performance, Alexion's growth, stockholder sentiment and feedback, compensation and corporate governance best practices, risk mitigation strategies, and regulatory developments. The committee believes that Alexion's current compensation practices have contributed to Alexion's strong short- and long-term performance, including Alexion's exceptional performance in 2011, and have facilitated significant stockholder value creation.

In its assessment of Alexion's compensation programs, the committee considered whether to adopt clawback and anti-hedging policies in advance of final SEC rules. Proposed rules have been delayed and are not expected until June 2012. We believe that such policies should be adopted after having an opportunity to consider the final SEC rules to avoid the undesirable effect of experiencing unintended consequences from policies adopted without the benefit of mandatory guidance.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee of the Board reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and, based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.
THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Alvin S. Parven, Chairman
William R. Keller
Joseph A. Madri, M.D., Ph.D.
Ann M. Veneman, J.D.


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SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

The following table shows the compensation paid or accrued during the year ended December 31, 2011 to (1) our Chief Executive Officer, (2) our Chief Financial Officer and (3) our three most highly compensated executive officers, other than our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

Name and Principal Position
 
Year
 
Salary
 
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation (1)
 
Bonus
 
Stock Awards (5)
 
Option Awards (5)
 
All Other Compens-ation (6)
 
Total
Leonard Bell, M.D.
 
12/31/2011
 
$
950,000

 
$
2,400,000

 
$
450,000

(2) 
$
2,047,440

 
$
7,170,366

 
$
12,250

 
$
13,030,056

Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer
 
12/31/2010
 
$
800,000

 
$
1,200,000

 
$

 
$
1,007,600

 
$
4,512,456

 
$
9,800

 
$
7,529,856

 
12/31/2009
 
$
775,000

 
$
1,100,000

 
$

 
$
754,950

 
$
2,909,363

 
$
9,800

 
$
5,549,113

Stephen P. Squinto, Ph.D.
 
12/31/2011
 
475,000

 
650,000

 
200,000

(3) 
679,858

 
1,667,520

 
12,250

 
3,684,628

Executive Vice President and Head of Research and Development
 
12/31/2010
 
435,000

 
320,000

 
150,000

(4) 
412,200

 
1,184,520

 
9,800

 
2,511,520

 
12/31/2009
 
428,962

 
320,000

 

 
287,600

 
941,265

 
9,800

 
1,987,627

Vikas Sinha, M.B.A., C.A.
 
12/31/2011
 
475,000

 
600,000

 
200,000

(2) 
597,170

 
1,667,520

 
12,250

 
3,551,940

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
12/31/2010
 
440,000

 
300,000

 

 
366,400

 
1,128,114

 
9,800

 
2,244,314

 
12/31/2009
 
428,971

 
340,000

 

 
287,600

 
941,265

 
9,800

 
2,007,636

Patrice Coissac (7)
 
12/31/2011
 
421,596

 
428,288

 

 
426,550

 
1,500,768

 
479,632

 
3,256,834

Senior Vice President and President of Alexion Pharma International Sarl
 
12/31/2010
 
464,967

 
374,752

 

 
274,800

 
940,095

 
579,759

 
2,634,373

 
12/31/2009
 
477,699

 
273,777

 

 
215,700

 
770,126

 
268,189

 
2,005,491

David Hallal
 
12/31/2011
 
460,000

 
550,000

 

 
511,860

 
1,667,520

 
12,250

 
3,201,630

Senior Vice President, Global Commercial Operations
 
12/31/2010
 
400,000

 
430,000

 

 
274,800

 
940,095

 
9,800

 
2,054,695

 
12/31/2009
 
376,721

 
290,000

 

 
251,650

 
821,467

 
9,800

 
1,749,638

(1)
This column represents the annual incentive bonus earned by the named executive officer for services performed in 2009, 2010 and 2011. The annual incentive bonus was paid in February of the calendar year following the year to which the bonus relates (i.e., the 2011 annual incentive bonus was paid in February 2012).
(2)
Amount represents the special bonus award paid in February 2011 and earned in connection with the successful completion of Alexion's acquisitions of all of the capital stock of Taligen Therapeutics, Inc. and certain assets of Orphatec Pharmaceuticals GmbH in January and February 2011, respectively.
(3)
Amount represents two special bonus awards earned by Dr. Squinto in 2011: $150,000 paid in February 2011 and earned in connection with the successful completion of Alexion's acquisitions of all of the capital stock of Taligen and certain assets of Orphatec, and $50,000 earned in connection with FDA approval of Soliris for the treatment of patients with aHUS, one half of which was paid in June 2011 and earned upon submission of the Biologics License Application and one-half of which was paid in October 2011 and earned upon receipt of FDA approval.
(4)
Amount represents the special bonus award earned by Dr. Squinto in connection with the approval of Soliris for the treatment of patients in Japan with PNH in 2010.
(5)
This column represents the grant date fair value of equity awards calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. See Note 1 and 13 to our audited consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 for details as to the assumptions used to determine the fair value of the awards.
(6)
For each named executive other than Mr. Coissac, represents Alexion's matching contribution pursuant to its 401(k) defined contribution plan and gym reimbursement. For Mr. Coissac, in 2011 such amounts include the following: $38,685 car allowance;; $121,213 housing allowance for Swiss residency; $31,555 cost of living adjustment; $168,299 exchange rate gross-up paid in 2011; $90,473 in French social contributions; and $29,407 for health insurance premiums. For Mr. Coissac, 2009 and 2010 amounts represent the same items plus relocation expenses in connection with his relocation from Paris, France to Lausanne, Switzerland in 2009.
(7)
Mr. Coissac's figures were converted to U.S dollars using the conversion rates of 0.74716 for euros and 1.07458 for Swiss francs.


29



GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS IN FISCAL 2011

The following table shows information regarding grants of equity awards during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 held by the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table.
 
 
 
 
Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards (1)
 
All Other Stock Awards:
 
All Other Option Awards:
 
 
 
 
Name
 
Grant Date
 
Target ($)
 
Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#)
 
  Number of Securities Underlying Options (#)
 
Exercise or Base Price of Stock Awards ($/Sh)
 
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards (2)
Leonard Bell, M.D.
 
2/2/2011
 
$
950,000

 
48,000

 
430,000

 
$
42.66

 
$
9,217,776

Stephen P. Squinto, Ph.D.
 
2/2/2011
 
$
285,000

 
14,000

 
100,000

 
$
42.66

 
$
2,264,690

 
 
9/23/2011
 
 
 
1,250

 

 
$
66.15

 
$
82,688

Vikas Sinha, M.B.A., C.A.
 
2/2/2011
 
$
285,000

 
14,000

 
100,000

 
$
42.66

 
$
2,264,690

Patrice Coissac
 
2/2/2011
 
$
252,957

 
10,000

 
90,000

 
$
42.66

 
$
1,927,318

David Hallal
 
2/2/2011
 
$
276,000

 
12,000

 
100,000

 
$
42.66

 
$
2,179,380

(1) This column represents the target annual incentive bonus approved by the Compensation Committee for each named executive officer in February 2011 multiplied by such individual's base salary approved at the same time. See "Annual Incentive Bonuses" in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis. Actual amounts paid to executive officers are included in the "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation" column under the "Summary Compensation Table" above.
(2) This column represents the grant date fair value of stock option awards and stock awards granted in 2011 calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. See Note 1 and 13 to our audited consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 for details as to the assumptions used to determine the fair value of the awards.

Fiscal Year 2011 Equity Awards

All of the stock option, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units disclosed in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards table were issued under our Amended and Restated 2004 Incentive Plan, or 2004 Incentive Plan. All options were granted with an exercise price per share equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant, as determined by our Board of Directors in accordance with the terms of the 2004 Incentive Plan. Subject to the terms of our 2004 Incentive Plan and the option agreements issued in connection with these grants, all options granted in 2011, including those granted to Dr. Bell, Dr. Squinto, Mr. Sinha, Mr. Hallal and Mr. Coissac vest in sixteen quarterly installments over four years. Restricted stock units awarded to the named executive officers in 2011 vest over a four-year period, with 50% vesting on the second anniversary of the date of grant and 12.5% vesting every six months for two years thereafter.



30



OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT 2011 FISCAL YEAR-END

The following table shows grants of stock options and grants of unvested stock awards outstanding on December 31, 2011, the last day of our fiscal year, to each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table.
 
 
 
 
Option Awards
 
Stock Awards
Name
 
Grant Date
 
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable
 
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable
 
Option Exercise Price ($)
 
Option Expiration Date
 
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)
 
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($) (1)
Leonard Bell, M.D.
 
03/04/03
 
55,000

 

 
$
2.69

 
03/04/13

 

 

 
 
09/23/03
 
80,000

 

 
$
4.42

 
09/23/13

 

 

 
 
02/24/04
 
68,000

 

 
$
5.82

 
02/24/14

 

 

 
 
09/08/04
 
80,000

 

 
$
4.03

 
09/08/14

 

 

 
 
03/09/05
 
90,000

 

 
$
5.10

 
03/09/15

 

 

 
 
09/21/05
 
90,000

 

 
$
6.90

 
09/21/15

 

 

 
 
01/09/06
 
98,000

 

 
$
5.18

 
01/09/16

 

 

 
 
06/07/06
 
98,000

 

 
$
8.18

 
06/07/16

 

 

 
 
01/15/07
 
170,000

 

 
$
10.29

 
01/15/17

 

 

 
 
07/11/07
 
170,000

 

 
$
11.92

 
07/11/17

 

 

 
 
01/09/08
 
318,748

 
21,252

(2) 
$
17.65

 
01/09/18

 
5,000

(3) 
357,500

 
 
01/26/09
 
233,750

 
106,250

(2) 
$
17.98

 
01/26/19

 
15,750

(3) 
1,126,125

 
 
01/28/10
 
210,000

 
270,000

(2) 
$
22.90

 
01/28/20

 
44,000

(3) 
3,146,000

 
 
02/02/11
 
80,624

 
349,376

(2) 
$
42.66

 
02/02/21

 
48,000

(3) 
3,432,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Option Awards
 
Stock Awards
Name
 
Grant Date
 
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable
 
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable
 
Option Exercise Price ($)
 
Option Expiration Date
 
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)
 
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($) (1)
Stephen P. Squinto, Ph.D.
 
07/11/07
 
5,260

 

 
$
11.92

 
07/11/17

 

 

 
 
01/09/08
 
93,748

 
6,252

(2) 
$
17.65

 
01/09/18

 
1,500

(3) 
107,250

 
 
01/26/09
 
75,624

 
34,376

(2) 
$
17.98

 
01/26/19

 
6,000

(3) 
429,000

 
 
01/28/10
 
55,124

 
70,876

(2) 
$
22.90

 
01/28/20

 
18,000

(3) 
1,287,000

 
 
02/02/11
 
18,750

 
81,250

(2) 
$
42.66

 
02/02/21

 
14,000

(3) 
1,001,000

 
 
09/23/11
 

 

 
$

 

 
1,250

(3) 
89,375

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

31



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Option Awards
 
Stock Awards
Name
 
Grant Date
 
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable
 
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable
 
Option Exercise Price ($)
 
Option Expiration Date
 
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)
 
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($) (1)
Vikas Sinha, M.B.A., C.A.
 
01/09/06
 
20,000

 

 
$
5.18

 
01/09/16

 

 

 
 
01/15/07
 
61,996

 

 
$
10.29

 
01/15/17

 

 

 
 
07/11/07
 
67,496

 

 
$
11.92

 
07/11/17

 

 

 
 
01/09/08
 
112,500

 
7,500

(2) 
$
17.65

 
01/09/18

 
2,250

(3) 
160,875

 
 
01/26/09
 
75,624

 
34,376

(2) 
$
17.98

 
01/26/19

 
6,000

(3) 
429,000

 
 
01/28/10
 
52,500

 
67,500

(2) 
$
22.90

 
01/28/20

 
16,000

(3) 
1,144,000

 
 
02/02/11
 
18,750

 
81,250

(2) 
$
42.66

 
02/02/21

 
14,000

(3) 
1,001,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Option Awards
 
Stock Awards
Name
 
Grant Date
 
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable
 
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable
 
Option Exercise Price ($)
 
Option Expiration Date
 
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)
 
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($) (1)
David Hallal
 
06/19/06
 
21,024

 

 
$
8.16

 
06/19/16

 

 

 
 
01/15/07
 
3,128

 

 
$
10.29

 
01/15/17

 

 

 
 
07/11/07
 
60,000

 

 
$
11.92

 
07/11/17

 

 

 
 
01/09/08
 
112,500

 
7,500

(2) 
$
17.65

 
01/09/18

 
1,500

(3) 
107,250

 
 
01/26/09
 
66,000

 
30,000

(2) 
$
17.98

 
01/26/19

 
5,250

(3) 
375,375

 
 
01/28/10
 
43,750

 
56,250

(2) 
$
22.90

 
01/28/20

 
12,000

(3) 
858,000

 
 
02/02/11
 
18,750

 
81,250

(2) 
$
42.66

 
02/02/21

 
12,000

(3) 
858,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Option Awards
 
Stock Awards
Name
 
Grant Date
 
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable
 
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable
 
Option Exercise Price ($)
 
Option Expiration Date
 
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)
 
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($) (1)
Patrice Coissac
 
01/09/08
 
84,372

 
5,628

(2) 
$
17.65

 
07/09/17

 
1,000

(4) 
71,500

 
 
01/26/09
 
61,874

 
28,126

(2) 
$
17.98

 
07/26/18

 
6,000

(4) 
429,000

 
 
01/28/10
 
10,984

 
56,250

(2) 
$
22.90

 
01/28/20

 
12,000

(3) 
858,000

 
 
02/02/11
 
16,874

 
73,126

(2) 
$
42.66

 
02/02/21

 
10,000

(3) 
715,000

(1)
The market value of the stock awards is determined by multiplying the number of shares times $71.50, which represents the closing

32



price of the Company's common stock on December 31, 2011.
(2)
These options vest in 16 quarterly installments over four years commencing on the date of grant. The options expire ten years from date of grant. The vested portion of this option grant is shown in the column directly to the left which shows the portion of the option which is currently exercisable.
(3)
These awards of restricted stock vest over a four-year period, with 50% vesting on the second anniversary of the date of grant and 12.5% vesting every six months for two years thereafter.
(4)
These awards of restricted stock units vest over a four year period, with 50% vesting on the second anniversary of the grant date and 50% vesting on the fourth anniversary of the grant date.



33



OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED FOR FISCAL 2011

The following table shows exercises of stock options and restricted stock vesting for the year ended December 31, 2011, for each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table.
 
 
Option Awards
 
Stock Awards
Name
 
 Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#)
 
 Value Realized on Exercise ($)(1)
 
 Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#)
 
 Value Realized on Vesting ($)(2)
Leonard Bell, M.D.
 
124,420

 
$
7,608,675

 
42,250

 
$
1,905,135

Stephen P. Squinto, Ph.D.
 
178,740

 
$
7,869,259

 
15,000

 
$
676,975

Vikas Sinha, M.B.A., C.A.
 
114,508

 
$
4,895,208

 
17,000

 
$
766,170

Patrice Coissac
 
266,966

 
$
11,351,165

 
9,500

 
$
409,748

David Hallal
 
79,872

 
$
3,823,481

 
13,250

 
$
599,208

(1)    Amounts reflect the difference between the exercise price of the option and the market price at the time of the exercise.
(2)
Amounts reflect the aggregate dollar amount realized upon vesting by multiplying the number of shares of stock vested by the market value of the underlying shares on the vesting date.

Pension Benefits

We do not have any qualified or non-qualified defined benefits plans that apply to our named executive officers.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

We do not have any non-qualified defined contribution plans or other deferred compensation plans that apply to our named executive officers.


Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control
We have entered into certain agreements and maintain certain plans that may require us to make payments and/or provide benefits to the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table in the event of a termination of employment or a change of control. See "Employment Agreements" below for a description of the severance and change in control arrangements for Dr. Bell, Dr. Squinto, Mr. Sinha, Mr. Hallal and Mr. Coissac. All five executive officers would only be eligible to receive severance payments if each officer signed a general release of claims.
The tables below summarize the potential payments to each named executive officer assuming that one of the events described in the table occurred. The tables assume that the relevant event occurred on December 31, 2011 and, in calculating the amounts due to the executive in connection with such event, use the closing price of a share of our common stock, $71.50, on such date. However, the executive's employment was not terminated on December 31, 2011 under such agreement and a change in control did not occur on that date. There can be no assurance that a termination of employment, a change in control or both would produce the same or similar results as those set forth below if either or both of them occur on any other date or at any other price, or if any other assumption used in calculating the benefits set forth below is not correct in fact.

For purposes of the following tables, involuntary termination means a termination without cause, constructive termination, or good reason termination, or non-renewal, as those terms are defined below.


34



 
Cash Severance Payments
 
Acceleration of time-vesting Equity Awards (1)
Health and Welfare
 
Excise Tax Gross Up (2)
Total Termination Benefits
Leonard Bell, M.D.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
•Death
$
234,247

(3 
) 
$
46,154,505

$
43,071

(4 
) 
$

$
46,431,823

•Disability
$

(5 
) 
$
46,154,505

$
34,696

(6 
) 
$

$
46,189,201

•Change in Control
$

 
$
46,154,505

$

 
$

$
46,154,505

•Involuntary termination
$
4,200,000

(7 
) 
$
46,154,505

$
32,210

(8 
) 
$

$
50,386,715

•Involuntary termination after a change in control
$
6,300,000

(9 
) 
$
46,154,505

$
48,315

(10 
) 
$
10,246,757

$
62,749,577

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Severance Payments
 
Acceleration of time-vesting Equity Awards (1)
Health and Welfare
 
Excise Tax Gross Up (2)
Total Termination Benefits
Stephen P. Squinto, Ph.D.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
•Death
$
117,123

(3 
) 
$
10,878,516

$
45,893

(4 
) 
$

$
11,041,532

•Disability
$

(5 
) 
$
10,878,516

$
36,969

(6 
) 
$

$
10,915,485

•Change in Control
$

 
$
10,878,516

$

 
$

$
10,878,516

•Involuntary termination
$
870,000

(11 
) 
$
10,878,516

$
24,694

(12 
) 
$

$
11,773,210

•Involuntary termination after a change in control
$
1,740,000

(13 
) 
$
10,878,516

$
34,090

(14 
) 
$

$
12,652,606

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Severance Payments
 
Acceleration of time-vesting Equity Awards (1)
Health and Welfare
 
Excise Tax Gross Up (2)
Total Termination Benefits
Vikas Sinha, M.B.A., C.A.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
•Death
$
117,123

(3 
) 
$
10,602,900

$
40,982

(4 
) 
$

$
10,761,005

•Disability
$

(5 
) 
$
10,602,900

$
33,013

(6 
) 
$

$
10,635,913

•Change in Control
$

 
$
10,602,900

$

 
$

$
10,602,900

•Involuntary termination
$
596,250

(15 
) 
$
10,602,900

$
21,658

(16 
) 
$

$
11,220,808

•Involuntary termination after a change in control
$
1,192,500

(17 
) 
$
10,602,900

$
22,824

(18 
) 
$

$
11,818,224

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Severance Payments
 
Acceleration of time-vesting Equity Awards (1)
Health and Welfare
 
Excise Tax Gross Up (2)
Total Termination Benefits
David Hallal
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
•Death
$
113,425

(3 
) 
$
9,285,675

$
45,893

(4 
) 
$

$
9,444,993

•Disability
$

(5 
) 
$
9,285,675

$
36,969

(6 
) 
$

$
9,322,644

•Change in Control
$

 
$
9,285,675

$

 
$

$
9,285,675

•Involuntary termination
$
615,000

(15 
) 
$
9,285,675

$
24,257

(16 
) 
$

$
9,924,932

•Involuntary termination after a change in control
$
1,230,000

(17 
) 
$
9,285,675

$
17,919

(18 
) 
$
2,347,383

$
12,880,977

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

35



 
Cash Severance Payments
 
Acceleration of time-vesting Equity Awards (20)
Health and Welfare (21)
 
Non-Competition Payment (22)
Total Termination Benefits
Patrice Coissac (19)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
•Death
$

(23 
) 
$

$

 
$

$

•Disability
$

(23 
) 
$

$

 
$

$

•Change in Control
$

 
$

$

 
$

$

•Involuntary termination
$
770,861

(24 
) 
$

$

 
$
246,134

$
1,016,995

•Involuntary termination after a change in control
$
1,143,791

(25 
) 
$

$

 
$
369,201

$
1,512,992

(1)
Represents the value associated with cashing out all stock options and shares of restricted stock that accelerate as a result of the event described in the table, based on a stock price of $71.50, which was the closing price of Alexion's common stock on December 31, 2011. Awards were valued based on the number of shares associated with each accelerated award multiplied by the difference between $71.50 and the exercise price related to such award (if any).
(2)
Based on the assumptions described above, and assuming that (a) all outstanding awards are cashed out in connection with the applicable event and valued based on a price per share equal to $71.50, (b) equity awards granted within one year of the change in control transaction were presumed to be in contemplation of the transaction and (c) none of the parachute payments are exempt under a special rule for reasonable compensation, Leonard Bell and David Hallal would have been entitled to an excise tax gross-up under their employment agreements in the amounts extent shown in the columns above. If the calculations had instead been performed assuming that equity awards made within one year of the change of control transaction were not made presumed to be in contemplation of the transaction (which they, in fact, were not), neither executive would have been entitled to an excise tax gross-up.
(3)
Represents 90 days of base salary as in effect on December 31, 2011. The executive is also entitled to receive a pro rata bonus for the year of termination, the amount of which is not included in the table because the full 2011 bonus had been earned by the executive on December 31, 2011, without regard to his employment termination.
(4)
Represents the cost of Alexion's continuation of COBRA premiums for 36 months.
(5)
The executive is entitled to receive a pro rata bonus for the year of termination, the amount of which is not included in the table because the full 2011 bonus had been earned by the executive on December 31, 2011, without regard to his employment termination.
(6)
Represents the cost of Alexion's continuation of COBRA premiums for 29 months.
(7)
Represents two times the sum of (i) annual base salary in effect on December 31, 2011 and (ii) the greater of (x) the average of the incentive bonuses earned by the executive in 2009 and 2010 or (y) the target bonus, as set by the Board of Directors or Compensation Committee, for 2011.
(8)
Represents the value of continued health and welfare benefits for two years, based on the premiums paid by Alexion for medical, dental, life, short-term disability, long-term disability and accidental death and dismemberment insurance in 2011.
(9)
Represents three times the sum of (i) annual base salary in effect on December 31, 2011 and (ii) the greater of (x) the average of the incentive bonuses earned by the executive in 2009 and 2010 or (y) the target bonus, as set by the Board of Directors or Compensation Committee, for 2011.
(10)
Represents the value of continued health and welfare benefits for three years, based on the premiums paid by Alexion for medical, dental, life, short-term disability, long-term disability and accidental death and dismemberment insurance in 2011.
(11)
Represents the sum of (i) annual base salary in effect on December 31, 2011 and (ii) the greater of (x) the average of the incentive bonuses earned by the executive in 2009 and 2010 or (y) the target bonus, as set by the Board of Directors or Compensation Committee, for 2011.
(12)
Represents the value of continued health benefits for 18 months (the maximum period permitted by COBRA) and other welfare benefits for one year, based on the premiums paid by Alexion for medical, dental, life, short-term disability, long-term disability and accidental death and dismemberment insurance in 2011.
(13)
Represents two times the sum of (i) annual base salary in effect on December 31, 2011 and (ii) the greater of (x) the average of the incentive bonuses earned by the executive in 2009 and 2010 or (y) the target bonus, as set by the Board of Directors or Compensation Committee, for 2011.
(14)
Represents the value of continued health and welfare benefits for two years, based on the premiums paid by Alexion for medical, dental, life, short-term disability, long-term disability and accidental death and dismemberment insurance in 2011.
(15)
Represents 0.75 times the sum of (i) annual base salary in effect on December 31, 2011 and (ii) the greater of (x) the average of the incentive bonuses earned by the executive in 2009 and 2010 or (y) the target bonus, as set by the Board of Directors or Compensation Committee, for 2011.
(16)
Represents the value of continued health benefits for 18 months (the maximum period permitted by COBRA) and other welfare benefits for nine months, based on the premiums paid by Alexion for medical, dental, life, short-term disability, long-term disability and accidental death and dismemberment insurance in 2011.
(17)
Represents 1.5 times the sum of (i) annual base salary in effect on December 31, 2011 and (ii) the greater of (x) the average of the incentive bonuses earned by the executive in 2009 and 2010 or (y) the target bonus, as set by the Board of Directors or Compensation Committee, for 2011.
(18)
Represents the value of continued health and welfare benefits for 18 months, based on the premiums paid by the company for medical, dental, life, short-term disability, long-term disability and accidental death and dismemberment insurance in 2011.

36



(19)
Mr. Coissac's employment agreement does not entitle him to a so-called golden parachute excise tax gross-up. Amounts denominated in Euros and payable to Mr. Coissac were converted to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of 1 U.S. dollar to 1.296 Euros, which was the exchange rate in effect on December 31, 2011.
(20)
Mr. Coissac's outstanding equity awards do not accelerate upon a termination of employment or change of control.
(21)
Mr. Coissac's severance agreement does not provide for health and welfare benefits, but does acknowledge his entitlement to benefits under the collective bargaining agreement applicable to him and statutory unemployment insurance benefits. These benefits are paid by the French government and not by Alexion.
(22)
Assumes that Alexion will pay Mr. Coissac a payment in respect of his agreeing not to compete with Alexion for a period of one year following employment termination. The amount of the non-competition payment will depend on the type of termination. At Alexion's election, it may release Mr. Coissac from the non-competition obligation in the event of a voluntary termination of employment or a termination for cause, in which case no payment would be due to him.
(23)
Mr. Coissac's employment agreement does not entitle him any specific benefits on death or disability beyond the coverage provided by the French government pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement applicable to him and the statutory unemployment insurance benefits.
(24)
Represents 12 months of annual base salary, Mr. Coissac's foreign service premium accrued during the previous year and the amount of his average bonus over the past two years. In addition, Mr. Coissac is also entitled to benefits under the collective bargaining agreement applicable to him and statutory unemployment insurance benefits and French insurance policy. These benefits are paid by the French government and not by Alexion. Pursuant to Mr. Coissac's Expatriation Addendum, he is also entitled to the costs of repatriation to France upon termination (estimated for purposes of this table to be $25,000).
(25)
Represents 1.5 times the payment due for involuntary termination (as described in footnote (24) above).

Important definitions under the employment agreements with each of the named executive officers other than Mr. Coissac.
Cause
(1) indictment for, or conviction of, a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude, or any crime or serious offense involving money or other property which constitutes a felony in the jurisdiction involved; (2) willful and continual neglect or failure to discharge duties (including fiduciary duties), responsibilities and obligations with respect to Alexion; (3) violation of any of the non-competition provisions of the employment agreement or the breach of any confidentiality provisions contained in the non-competition and confidentiality agreement; or (4) any act of fraud or embezzlement involving Alexion or any of its affiliates.
Dr. Bell's agreement only: all determinations of cause shall be made by the Board of Directors, and require at least a two-thirds vote of the entire Board of Directors, excluding the participation of Dr. Bell.
Constructive
 termination
(1) a material breach of the terms of the employment agreement by Alexion; (2) loss of any material duties or authority of the executive, and the loss continues for 30 days after written notice; (3) a relocation of the executive's place of employment to a location beyond a 25-mile radius of such place of employment; (4) Alexion makes a general assignment for benefit of creditors; or any proceeding shall be instituted by Alexion seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking liquidation, winding up, or reorganization; an involuntary petition is filed or an action or proceeding otherwise commenced against Alexion seeking reorganization, arrangement or readjustment of Alexion's debts and remains undismissed or unstayed for a period of 30 days; a receiver, assignee, liquidator, trustee or similar officer for Alexion or for all or any part of its property shall be appointed involuntarily; or (5) a material breach by Alexion of any other material agreement with the executive and such breach continues uncured for 30 days after written notice or 10 days if such breach is for the payment of money.
Dr. Bell's agreement only: constructive termination shall also exist if a breach is uncured for 30 days following a written notice that (1) Dr. Bell is not continuously nominated to the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Alexion during the term of the employment agreement; (2) the Chief Executive Officer is not the highest ranking officer of Alexion with the power to appoint and remove all other employees of Alexion; or (3) any senior executive officer is retained by Alexion, or an offer is made to pay compensation to any senior executive of Alexion, that in either case is unacceptable to Dr. Bell, in his reasonable judgment.

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Good reason
in connection with a change of control (see also "Employment Agreements" below) termination by the executive upon 90 days' written notice, unless cured within 30 days, upon occurrence of any of the following events: (1) any material adverse change in authority, duties, titles or offices (including reporting responsibility), or any significant increase in business travel obligations, from those existing immediately prior to the change in control or other material breach by Alexion; (2) a relocation of the place of employment to a location beyond a 25-mile radius of such place of employment; (3) a material diminution of compensation and benefits; (4) any failure by Alexion to continue in effect any compensation plan in which the executive participated immediately prior to change in control and which is material to the executive's total compensation, unless an equitable arrangement has been made with respect to such plan, or any failure by Alexion to continue the executive's participation in the plan on a basis no less favorable to the executive, both in terms of the amount of benefits provided and the level of the executive's participation relative to other participants, as existed immediately prior to the change in control; (5) any failure by Alexion to continue to provide benefits substantially similar, taken as a whole, to those enjoyed by the executive under any of Alexion's retirement, life insurance, medical, health and accident, or disability plans, programs or arrangements in which the executive was participating immediately prior to such change in control, the taking of any action by Alexion which would directly or indirectly materially reduce any of such benefits or deprive the executive of any perquisite enjoyed by the executive at the time of such change in control, or the failure by Alexion to maintain a vacation policy with respect to the executive that is at least as favorable as the vacation policy (whether formal or informal) in place with respect to the executive immediately prior to change in control; or (6) the failure of Alexion to obtain the assumption in writing of its obligation to perform under the employment agreement by any successor to all or substantially all of the assets of Alexion upon a merger, consolidation, sale or similar transaction.
Non-renewal
Alexion's decision, at the end of the term of a particular executive's employment agreement, not to continue to employ the executive at least on terms substantially similar to those described in the executive's employment agreement.
Change in control
the occurrence of any of the following events: (1) any third party becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 40% of Alexion's securities representing combined voting power of the then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of Alexion; (2) incumbent directors as of the beginning of any twenty-four month period cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the directors (excluding any individual becoming a director subsequent to the beginning of such period, whose election or nomination for election by Alexion's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then comprising the incumbent directors); or (3) consummation by Alexion of a recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction with respect to which all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners of the voting securities immediately prior to such transaction do not, following consummation of all transactions intended to constitute part of such transaction, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the voting securities of the surviving entity, in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of such voting securities immediately prior to such transaction; or (4) consummation of a complete liquidation or dissolution of Alexion, or the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of Alexion, other than to a corporation, business trust or other entity with respect to which, following consummation of all transactions intended to constitute part of such sale or disposition, more than 50% of the combined voting securities is then owned beneficially, directly or indirectly, by the same stockholders in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the voting securities immediately prior to such sale or disposition.
Employment Agreements
Each of the named executive officers have entered into employment agreements, and the significant terms of each arrangement is described below.

Term
Each of Dr. Bell, Dr. Squinto, and Mr. Sinha, entered into three-year employment agreements, as amended,

38



dated as of February 14, 2006, with provisions for automatic one year extensions.
Mr. Hallal entered into a three-year employment agreement, as amended, dated June 19, 2006, with a provision for automatic one year extensions.
Mr. Coissac entered into an employment agreement for an indefinite term, which may be terminated upon three months prior written notice and in the case of gross or willful misconduct, immediately. Mr. Coissac relocated to Switzerland and has agreed to serve as President of Alexion Pharma International until March 2014. His assignment in Switzerland may be terminated by either Mr. Coissac or Alexion with three months prior written notice or in the case of gross or willful misconduct, immediately.
Under each of their respective employment agreements, each of the named executive officers is to continue to be employed in his current position with Alexion. Dr. Bell's employment agreement provides for Alexion's obligation to use its best efforts to cause him to be elected to the Board of Directors for the term of his employment agreement.
Severance Payment and Benefits
Termination, No Change in Control. Under the terms of the employment agreements with each of the named executive officers other than Mr. Coissac, in the event that the executive's employment with Alexion terminates other than in connection with a change in control (1) for reasons other than cause, death, or physical or mental disability, or (2) following a constructive termination (other than due to loss of any material duties or authority of the executive if the executive is Mr. Sinha or Mr. Hallal), or (3) in the event of a "non-renewal" (with "change in control," "cause," "constructive termination" and "non-renewal" defined in the executives' respective employment agreements, and summarized above under the section entitled "Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control"), Alexion will be obligated to pay such terminated executive, as a cash lump sum, a multiple of the Severance Payment set forth in the table below under the heading "Termination - Severance Payment." Additionally, the executive will be entitled to continue to participate in Alexion's health and welfare benefit plans for the period set forth in the table below under "Termination - Severance Period Benefits Entitlement." The executive may continue to participate, at Alexion's expense, in health plans subject to COBRA for the maximum period permitted under COBRA if greater than the applicable Severance Period. If such benefits cannot be provided or are not available, Alexion will instead pay the executive a lump sum cash amount equal to the present value of the expected cost of providing such benefits.

Change in Control. Under the terms of the employment agreements with each of the named executive officers other than Mr. Coissac, in the event that the executive's employment with Alexion is terminated within a certain period after a change in control (i) by Alexion for reasons other than cause, death or physical or mental disability, or (ii) by the executive for good reason (with "good reason" defined in the employment agreements, and summarized in the section entitled "Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control"), or (iii) in the event of non-renewal, Alexion will be obligated to pay such terminated executive a cash lump sum equal to a multiple of the Severance Payment set forth in the table below under the heading "Change in Control - Severance Payment." Additionally, the executive will be entitled to continue to participate in Alexion's health and welfare benefit plans for the period set forth in the table below under the heading "Change in Control - Severance Period Benefits Entitlement." The executive may continue to participate, at Alexion's expense, in health plans subject to COBRA for the maximum period permitted under COBRA if greater than the applicable Severance Period. If such benefits cannot be provided or are not available, Alexion will instead pay the executive a lump sum cash amount equal to the present value of the expected cost of providing such benefits.
The Severance Payment is a payment equal to the sum of (a) the executive's then current base salary and (b) the greater of (i) the average bonus received by such executive for the two years preceding the year in which termination occurs and (ii) the amount equal to the bonus target for the year in which the termination of employment occurs as determined by Alexion's Board of Directors or its Compensation Committee.


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Termination
 
Change in Control
 
Severance Payment
Severance Period Benefits Entitlement
 
If Termination Occurs Within Below Number of Years of Change in Control
Severance Payment
Severance Period Benefits Entitlement
Dr. Bell
2x
2 years
 
3 years
3x
3 years
Dr. Squinto
1x
1 year
 
2 years
2x
2 years
Mr. Sinha
0.75x
0.75 years
 
1.5 years
1.5x
1.5 years
Mr. Hallal
0.75x
0.75 years
 
1.5 years
1.5x
1.5 years

Mr. Coissac's Employment Agreement
In November 2005, Mr. Coissac was appointed President of Alexion Europe SAS, located in Paris, France, and entered into employment and severance agreements. Mr. Coissac is a French citizen and at the time of his appointment was a French resident. In April 2009, in connection with the relocation of Alexion's European headquarters from Paris, France, to Lausanne, Switzerland, Mr. Coissac accepted an assignment to become President of Alexion Pharma International Sàrl. He relocated to Switzerland and assumed his responsibilities under an expatriation arrangement. His employment and severance agreements remain in full force and effect and are subject to the terms of his expatriation arrangement.
Under Mr. Coissac's severance agreement, if his employment contract is terminated by Alexion for reasons other than personal cause and he is removed from his position, then he is entitled to receive a severance amount equal to 12 months of his monthly remuneration. For purposes of the agreement, the monthly remuneration is equal to the sum of (a) base gross monthly salary, plus (b) one twelfth of his total expatriation premium accrued during the most recent 12 month period, and (c) one twelfth of the average annual bonus over the most recent 2 year period.
If, after a change of control, Mr. Coissac's employment contract is terminated by Alexion (or by Mr. Coissac for demonstrable reasons of breach of professional ethics by the acquirer), and Mr. Coissac's social mandate as President is terminated by the acquirer (or by Mr. Coissac for demonstrable reasons of breach of professional ethics by the acquirer), then he is entitled to receive a severance amount equal to 18 months of his monthly remuneration, as described above.

Mr. Coissac is not entitled to any such severance payment if he resigns or he is terminated for personal cause. In addition, Mr. Coissac may receive additional consideration if Alexion elects to enforce a non-competition clause.
Equity Awards
If an executive's employment (other than Mr. Coissac) terminates for any of the reasons described above, or if a change in control occurs, (1) all of such executive's time-vesting equity awards will vest and become immediately exercisable, and (2) all other equity awards will vest as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors based on the percentage of goals and objectives achieved by such executive and Alexion.
In the event that the executive's employment (other than Mr. Coissac) with Alexion terminates due to death, the executive's estate will be entitled to receive the executive's base salary for 90 days following the termination of employment. In the event that the executive's employment (other than Mr. Coissac) is terminated due to death or disability (as that term is defined in the employment agreements), the executive will be entitled to receive a pro rata annual performance bonus for the year in which the termination occurs.
Each of the employment agreements with named executive officers other than Mr. Coissac also provides that if such executive becomes subject to the excise tax described in Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and if the amount of the payments and benefits due to the executive exceed the safe harbor amount associated with such tax by at least 10%, Alexion shall make a special payment to such executive such that the after-tax value of payments received by him will be the same as if he were not subject to such excise tax.
All of Alexion's employment agreements require its employees and executives to acknowledge Alexion's possession of information created, discovered or developed by the employees and executives which are applicable to the business of Alexion and any client, customer or strategic partner of Alexion. Each employee and executive

40



also agrees to assign all rights he or she may have or acquire in proprietary information, to keep such proprietary information confidential and not to compete with Alexion for a limited period of time.


DIRECTOR COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL 2011

The following table sets forth a summary of the compensation earned by our directors and/or paid to certain of our directors pursuant to certain agreements we have with them in 2011, other than Dr. Bell.
Name
 
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)(1)
 
Stock Awards 2011 Compensation Expense ($) (2)(3)
 
# of Shares of Restricted Stock held @ 12/31/11
 
Option Awards 2011 Compensation Expense ($) (1)
Max Link, Ph.D.
 
$
160,000

 
$
232,470

 
5,450

 
$
108,846

William R. Keller
 
60,000

 
232,470

 
5,450

 
108,846

Joseph A. Madri, M.D., Ph.D.
 
60,000

 
232,470

 
5,450

 
108,846

Larry L. Mathis
 
80,000

 
232,470

 
5,450

 
108,846

R. Douglas Norby
 
80,000

 
232,470

 
5,450

 
108,846

Alvin S. Parven
 
80,000

 
232,470

 
5,450

 
108,846

Andreas Rummelt, Ph.D.
 
80,000

 
232,470

 
5,450

 
108,846

Ann M. Veneman, J.D.
 
60,000

 
232,470

 
5,450

 
108,846

(1)
Represents retainer fees paid for services as a director during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.
(2)
See Note 1 and Note 13 to our audited consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 for details as to the assumptions used to determine the fair value of the awards during the year ended December 31, 2011. See also our discussions of share-based compensation under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates.
(3)
Represents the grant date fair value of the award calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The following directors held the following number of unvested restricted stock units as of December 31, 2011: Link, 5,450; Keller, 5,450; Madri, 5,450; Mathis, 5,450; Norby, 5,450; Parven, 5,450; Rummelt, 5,450; Veneman, 5,450.
(4)
Represents the grant date fair value of the award calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The following directors held the following number of stock option awards as of December 31, 2011: Link, 105,780; Keller 15,048; Madri, 221,780; Mathis, 157,780; Norby, 130,780; Parven, 115,780; Rummelt, 11,495; Veneman, 15,550.

Director Compensation Policy

Under Alexion's director compensation structure for 2011, all non-employee members of the Board, with 75% attendance at Board meetings since the prior annual meeting of stockholders, were entitled to receive the following:

an annual retainer of $60,000 for non Chairman members, and $160,000 for the Chairman, each paid quarterly;
an annual retainer of $20,000 for service as the chairman of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Pharmaceutical Compliance and Quality Committee, paid quarterly;
a restricted stock award having a value of $216,000 based on sixty day trailing average market price of the Company's common stock, awarded in January or February of each year and vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date; and
a stock option grant to purchase shares of common stock equivalent to $144,000 calculated using the Black-Scholes model, typically granted upon re-election to the Board. Each stock option has an exercise price equal to the closing price of the stock on the date of grant and vests in four equal quarterly installments over one year.

It is Alexion's policy that non-employee directors do not participate during discussions, and do not vote on, matters of compensation for the independent directors.
 

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Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions

The Board of Directors reviews and approves transactions between Alexion on the one hand and a related party, such as our directors, officers, holders of more than five percent of our voting securities and their affiliates, the immediate family members of any of the foregoing persons and any other persons whom the Board determined may be considered a related party, on the other hand. Prior to Board consideration of a transaction with a related party, the material facts as to the related party's relationship or interest in the transaction are disclosed to the Board, and the transaction is not considered approved by the Board unless a majority of the directors who are not interested in the transaction approve the transaction. In determining whether to approve or ratify a related party transaction, the non interested directors take into account such factors as they deem appropriate, which include whether the interested transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third party under the same or similar circumstances and the extent of the related person's interest in the transaction. Please see "Executive Compensation-Summary Compensation Table," "Executive Compensation-Director Compensation Policy" for information regarding compensation of our executive officers and directors. There have been no other related party transactions during fiscal year 2011.

Audit Committee Report

The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed Alexion's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2011 with management and the Board of Directors and discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Alexion's independent registered public accounting firm during the year ended December 31, 2011, the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended. In addition, the Audit Committee received from the independent registered public accounting firm written disclosures and the letter required by the applicable standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. The Audit Committee also discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the auditors' independence from management and Alexion, including a review of audit and non-audit fees and the matters covered by the written disclosures and letter provided by the independent registered public accounting firm. Based on the above mentioned review and discussion with management and the independent auditors, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that Alexion's audited financial statements be included in Alexion's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 for filing with the SEC.

This report of the Audit Committee shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this proxy statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that Alexion specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such acts.

THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

R. Douglas Norby, Chairman
Max Link, Ph.D.
Larry L. Mathis
Andreas Rummelt, Ph.D.


Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Audit Committee has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to serve as Alexion's independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2011.

Fees

The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed or to be billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for the following services during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010:

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Year Ended
 
Year Ended
Fees
 
December 31, 2011
 
December 31, 2010
Audit fees (1)
 
$
1,426,858

 
$
1,131,077

Audit related fees (2)
 

 

Tax fees (3)
 
221,500

 
55,965

All other fees (4)
 
46,264

 
7,425

 
 
$
1,694,622

 
$
1,194,467

(1)
Audit fees include fees billed and expected to be billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for professional services rendered for the audit of Alexion's annual financial statements included in its Form 10-K, the review of Alexion's financial statements included in its Forms 10-Q, as well as services related to other SEC filings and statutory audits.
(2)
Alexion did not use Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP for such services during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.
(3)
Tax services for the year ended December 31, 2011 include assistance with reviews of various federal tax credits, Subpart F income transactions and state sales tax. Tax services for the year ended December 31, 2010 include assistance with tax compliance, including reviews of research and development credits and tax returns.
(4)
Fees for the year ended December 31, 2011 represent fees associated with the Brazil product cycle analysis. Fees for the year ended December 31, 2010 represent consulting fees in connection with the acquisition of Taligen Therapeutics, Inc., which was completed in January 2011.

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

It is the Audit Committee's policy that it must pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services to be performed by Alexion's independent auditors, the fees to be paid for those services and the time period over which those services are to be provided. On an annual basis, the independent auditors present a listing of all services they expect to perform for Alexion in the ensuing one-year period, including fee estimates, in sufficient detail to enable the Audit Committee to perform an independent review of each proposed service. The Audit Committee reviews this list and approves appropriate services which, in the Audit Committee's judgment, will not impair the auditors' independence. With respect to any additional services proposed to be performed by the independent auditors during the year, management will evaluate the impact on the independent auditor's independence and obtain Audit Committee approval for such service.
Consistent with its pre-approval policy, the Audit Committee pre-approved all audit and permitted non-audit services performed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. The Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of the non-audit services described above is compatible with maintaining PricewaterhouseCoopers' independence and has determined in their judgment that the provision of such services is compatible with maintaining PricewaterhouseCoopers' independence.


PROPOSAL NO. 2 - RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee has selected PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the year ending December 31, 2011. The Board of Directors has directed that the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm be submitted for ratification by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting. If a quorum is present, the proposal to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent registered public accounting firm will require approval by a majority of the votes cast in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting. Stockholder ratification of the appointment is not required by law or otherwise. The Board of Directors is submitting this matter to stockholders for ratification because it believes it to be a good corporate practice.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Alexion's independent registered public accounting firm, audited Alexion's consolidated financial statements since the year ended July 31, 2004. If the stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain that firm, but may still retain it. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may appoint a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in Alexion's best interests and that of

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Alexion's stockholders. Representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP are expected to attend the 2012 Annual Meeting. They will have an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate stockholder questions.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS DEEMS PROPOSAL NO. 2 TO BE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF ALEXION AND ITS STOCKHOLDERS AND RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL THEREOF.


PROPOSAL NO. 3 - ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Based upon a vote of stockholders at the 2011 Annual Meeting, following the Board's recommendation for an annual advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers, we are providing stockholders with an advisory vote on executive compensation. As described in greater detail in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this proxy, the primary objective of Alexion's executive compensation policy is to attract and retain its key executives and motivate our executives to achieve short- and long-term objectives and success. The Compensation Committee approves and implements compensation programs based on the following stated philosophies:

Pay for performance and reward company and individual achievement;
Ensure compensation is competitive with the companies that compete with us for talent;
Maintain an appropriate balance between cash and equity incentives; and
Be fair and consistent.

The Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors believe that Alexion's 2011 executive compensation is strongly aligned with our philosophy, objectives and company performance. We encourage stockholders to carefully review the Compensation Discussion and Analysis. The Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes Alexion's executive compensation program and the considerations taken into account by the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors with respect to the compensation paid to the named executive officers for 2011.

The Board of Directors is requesting that Alexion stockholders cast a non-binding advisory, vote in favor of the following resolution:
 
RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to Alexion's named executive officers as disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables and other narrative discussion, is hereby approved.
 
Because this proposal asks for a non-binding, advisory vote, there is no "required vote" that would constitute approval. We value the opinions expressed by our stockholders in this advisory vote, and our Compensation Committee, which is responsible for overseeing and administering our executive compensation programs, will consider the outcome of the vote when designing our compensation programs and making future compensation decisions for our named executive officers. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will not have any effect on the results of those deliberations.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL
OF PROPOSAL 3, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS.

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

Under SEC rules, if a stockholder wants us to include a proposal in our proxy statement and form of proxy for presentation at our 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the proposal must be received by us, Attention: Corporate Secretary, at our principal executive offices by December 15, 2012.

The deadline for receipt of timely notice of stockholder proposals for submission to the Company's 2013

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Annual Meeting of Stockholders without inclusion in the Company's 2012 Proxy Statement is March 8, 2013. Unless such notice is received by us, Attention: Corporate Secretary, at our principal executive offices, on or before the foregoing date, proxies with respect to such meeting will confer discretionary voting authority with respect to any such matter.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

"Householding" of Proxy Materials

The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries such as brokers to satisfy delivery requirements for proxy statements with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as "householding," potentially provides extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies. Alexion and some brokers "household" proxy materials, delivering a single proxy statement to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker or Alexion that they or Alexion will be householding materials to your address, householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement, or if you are receiving multiple copies of the proxy statement and wish to receive only one, please notify your broker if your shares are held in a brokerage account, or Alexion if you hold shares directly in your name. You can notify Alexion by sending a written request to Corporate Secretary, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 352 Knotter Drive, Cheshire, Connecticut 06410 or by calling (203) 272-2596.

OTHER BUSINESS

Other than the matters described in this proxy statement, the Board of Directors knows of no other business to be acted upon at the 2012 Annual Meeting. However, if any other business properly comes before the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.

The prompt return of your proxy will be appreciated and helpful in obtaining the necessary vote. Therefore, whether or not you expect to attend the Annual Meeting, please sign the proxy and return it in the enclosed envelope. If you need directions to the meeting, please call Alexion's Investor Relations at (203) 272-2596.

A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2011 WILL BE SENT WITHOUT CHARGE TO ANY STOCKHOLDER REQUESTING IT IN WRITING FROM: ALEXION PHARMACEUTICALS, INC., 352 KNOTTER DRIVE, CHESHIRE, CONNECTICUT 06410, ATTN: INVESTOR RELATIONS.



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FORM OF PROXY CARD

ALEXION PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 7, 2012.
Leonard Bell, M.D. and Vikas Sinha, and each of them, as the true and lawful attorneys, agents and proxies of the undersigned, with full power of substitution, are hereby authorized to represent and to vote all shares of Common Stock of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the "Company") held of record by the undersigned on March 16, 2012, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 7, 2012 at the Westin Providence Hotel, One West Exchange Place, Providence, Rhode Island 02903 and any adjournment thereof. Any and all proxies heretofore given are hereby revoked.
WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DESIGNATED BY THE UNDERSIGNED. IF NO CHOICE IS SPECIFIED, THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH OF THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR LISTED BELOW, AND IN FAVOR OF PROPOSALS 2 AND 3. IN THEIR DISCRETION, THE PROXIES ARE ALSO AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING AND ANY ADJOURNMENT THEREOF.

 
1
Proposal-Election of Directors-Nominees are:
Leonard Bell, Max Link, William R. Keller, Joseph A. Madri, Larry L. Mathis, R. Douglas Norby, Alvin S. Parven, Andreas Rummelt and Ann M. Veneman.
£    FOR ALL
£    WITHHOLD ALL to vote for the listed nominees.
£    FOR ALL EXCEPT (do not vote for the nominee(s) whose name(s) appears(s) below):




 
 
 
 
2
Proposal No. 2-Ratification of appointment by the Board of Directors of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm.
                    £    FOR            £    AGAINST        £    ABSTAIN





 

3
Proposal No.3-Approval of a non-binding advisory vote of the compensation paid to Alexion's named executive officers.
                    £    FOR            £    AGAINST        £    ABSTAIN




IMPORTANT: Please sign exactly as name appears below. Each joint owner shall sign. Executors, administrators, trustees, etc. should give full title as such. If signor is a corporation, please give full corporate name by duly authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
Dated                                                                              , 2012
                                                                                               
Signature
                                                                                               
Signature if held jointly
The above-signed acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and the Proxy Statement furnished therewith.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.